Must Buy

Redbreast 27 Year Old
Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey

Batch B1/19

54.6% ABV
$500
Website

What the Distillery Says

The oldest permanent release in the Redbreast family, 27-Year-Old is a Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey comprising exclusively of Pot Still whiskeys which have been triple distilled, matured in the finest bourbon, sherry and ruby port casks for no less than 27 years, and left untouched.

NOSE: A succulent medley of exotic fruits, mango, pineapple, blood orange and ripe red berries are complemented by fresh herbs, aromatic oils and wood spices. Vanilla sweetness and treacle toffee add to the richness, while walnuts and toasted oak acknowledge the contribution from a supreme cask selection.

TASTE: Incredibly rich in texture with a luxuriously fruity introduction. Ripe red fleshed plums, black cherries and summer berries are balanced by the prickle of a hint of chili oil. The taste evolves as cherry menthol introduces vanilla and cinnamon sweet spices combined with red pepper, nutmeg and toasted oak for an intriguing complexity.

FINISH: A satisfyingly long balance of ripe fruit and wood spices, worthy of a journey of nearly three decades.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich fruitcake with a tropical fruit twist, candied pineapple, mango, kiwi, apricots, hints of port and marsala wine, peaches, nutmeg, honey and floral notes.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, intense fruit with plums, blackcurrants, raisins, peaches, black cherries, pears, vanilla, honey, dark chocolate and toffee.
Finish:  Long with dark fruit and a slow build in spices.
Comments:  This is just a magnificent whiskey. The nose is complex and layered, and benefits from some time in the glass (it waited 27 years to be bottled; pour it and give it a half hour and you’ll be glad you did!) Bit of water brings out some salted caramel on the nose, and brings the spice notes forward more on the palate, although this drinks lovely neat. The only reason this isn’t a solid ‘Must Buy’ from me is the price (I’m thankful that Richard shared a sample, and I am enjoying every last drop!)

Rating: Must Try/Must Buy

Bushmills 25 Year Old Marsala Cask
Irish Single Malt Whiskey

Flaviar’s Bushmills “Rare Cask Series” Tasting Box
Sample ‘B’

50% ABV

We would like to thank Flaviar and Bushmills  for the opportunity to try these rare whiskies!
NOTE: The samples were provided as part of a lottery through my personal Flaviar membership, and not provided directly for purposes of a review.

Wait – What is This?

In the summer/fall of 2020, Flaviar offered an opportunity to members to enter a lottery, the winners of which would have the opportunity to sample some rare Bushmills and vote on what would be the next ‘Rare Cask’. I was fortunate enough to be picked to participate, and received a 5 sample kit from Flaviar which included:

• Bushmills 10 yr Single Malt
• Bushmills 16 yr Single Malt
• Sample A (Bushmills 28 Year Old PX Sherry Cask, 1992)
• Sample B (Bushmills 25 Year Old Marsala Cask, 1995)
• Sample C (Bushmills 23 Year Old Crystal Malt, 1997)

Flaviar stated that they would announce the winner with Bushmills. If that happened, I missed it (and as of Feburary 2022, Bushmill’s website only lists the initial Rare Cask release – although I saw some stores that had labels for ‘Rare Case 02’, so not sure if they released it quietly, or if they planned to but then changed course, or what happened). Regardless, I was waiting for such an announcement before posting these reviews – but as that may never happen – here they are!

The details below were compiled from what was provided by Flaviar with the samples, and the NightCap Live streaming event they hosted – which included the Bushmills brand ambassador Jack Ferris who provided additional details about the whiskies.

Includes whiskey first matured in bourbon casks for 10 years and Oloroso sherry casks for 10 years, combined and finished in Marsala casks for 14-15 years. Has notes of dried fruits, bit of anise, and more viscous sweetness.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich, Marsala wine, honey, figs, dates, roasted walnuts, oak, tapioca, nutmeg, subtle cinnamon.
Palate:  Thick and rich mouthfeel, honey with spices, nutty, slight pepper bite, brown sugar, bit of tobacco, orange, apricots.
Finish:  Long with honeyed ginger and tobacco.
Comments:  An amazing dram (if you like Marsala, which I do – in fact this is only the 2nd whisk(e)y I’ve had with a Marsala cask maturation)! Compared to Sample A (28 yr PX Sherry Cask), this was more spicy, which I like. Love the high ABV and non-chill filtering, which is evident in the mouthfeel. This is the sample I voted for the next Bushmills Rare Cask offering, as I think we need more Marsala maturation offerings, and it is really delicious.

Rating: Must Try/Must Buy