Redbreast Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey Aged 12 Years
$40 – $50
40% ABV/ 80 Proof
Widely available
What the Distillery Says:
Unique among Whiskeys, Redbreast is a ‘single’, unblended, Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey which has been Triple Distilled and Matured in Oak Casks for not less than Twelve Years. The uncompromising dedication to authenticity and Quality gives Redbreast a traditional smooth Mellow Character and a Taste which is Full Flavored and assertive but over Robust.
What Richard Says:
Nose: Fresh cut grass, wildflowers, orange blossom, citrus zest, and toffee.
Palate: Delicate and flavorful. Modest sweetness that quickly fades to delicate woody notes. Very well balanced and pleasant.
Finish: Smooth and oily with hints of oak and floral sweetness.
Comments: This is Irish whiskey at it’s finest. Redbreast has long been my personal favorite for Irish. It marries triple distillation smoothness with the unique character of pure pot stilled whiskey. This is Irish whiskey in the classic traditional sense and what other Irish should aspire to. On top of all that it is a solid value for any whiskey drinker.
Rating: Must Buy, Great Value
What Matt Says:
Nose: Fresh cut grass, orange zest, caramel, seasoned oak, and vaguely floral notes dominate
Palate: Lightly sweet, woody and grassy. If other whiskeys were cow cheese, this would be goat cheese. There are also some green apple notes. This dram is somehow crisp and soft at the same time.
Finish: Smooth as oiled silk.
Comments: What makes a pure pot still whiskey unique is that the mash bill is created of both malted and unmalted barley. This gives the whiskey a very fresh and lively character. After all these years, this is still my favorite Irish whiskey. I return to it often. When I started drinking Redbreast, it was not available in the US. Now, you can get it just about anywhere. I’m afraid, with the prices in New York ($55 or more), I can’t recommend this as a “Great Value” anymore. That’s not saying that it’s not worth price, just that it’s not a secret steal anymore.
Rating: Must Buy
Overall Rating: Must Buy
For those interested, Redbreast can regularly be found in Atlanta for under $45.
It’s priced around $40-45 in most places that I’ve seen. It’s just in New York that the prices have risen (somewhere in the past five years). At $40, Redbreast is one of the best $40 whiskeys you will find. At $55, the competition starts getting fiercer. Honestly, I’d still buy it if it was $60 or more. I’m just happy it is available in the US.
BITE YOUR TONGUE! Don’t give Pernod any ideas about further raising the price of Redbreast! On a related note, I went out to pick up some more Irish this past weekend and noticed that Glenlivet and Macallan had both gone up over the last month. Not any other scotches, just those two ranges. AND my beloved Germain Robin went from $50 to $70!