Redbreast Irish Whiskey, known for its rich history and commitment to producing exceptional single pot still whiskeys, has unveiled a brand-new addition to its lineup: the Redbreast 18 Year Old. This new expression marks a significant milestone for the company, as it is the first 18-year-old whiskey in Redbreast's history and brings a fresh, exciting take on the classic Redbreast flavor profile. Crafted with meticulous care, this whiskey is already making waves in the industry, earning several prestigious accolades in 2024’s international tasting competitions.
Aged to Perfection: The Story Behind Redbreast 18-Year-Old
Redbreast’s 18-Year-Old whiskey is not just another aged bottle in their lineup; it represents a new chapter for the brand. Like its predecessors, Redbreast 18 Year Old is made using a combination of malted and unmalted barley and triple-distilled in traditional copper pot stills. However, what sets it apart is the complex combination of cask types used in its aging process. This includes ex-bourbon barrels, oloroso sherry butts, ruby port casks, and, for the first time in Redbreast’s history, cream sherry casks sourced from the Antonio Páez Lobato cooperage in Jerez, Spain.
This new cask blend, particularly the introduction of the cream sherry casks, adds an innovative layer to the whiskey, offering rich dessert-like sweetness that perfectly complements the more traditional Redbreast flavors. The cream sherry casks impart a syrupy quality, rounding out the bold and full-bodied flavors with a delightful smoothness.
Master Blender David McCabe, along with Redbreast Master Blender Emeritus Billy Leighton, has worked tirelessly to perfect this unique expression. Drawing inspiration from the aged whiskey inventory at the Midleton Distillery, where Redbreast is produced, McCabe and Leighton blended tradition with innovation to create a whiskey that bridges the gap between Redbreast’s younger and older offerings.
A Tasting Experience Unlike Any Other
Redbreast 18-Year-Old offers a complex yet balanced tasting experience, with each sip revealing new layers of flavor. On the nose, drinkers can expect rich aromas of ripe blackcurrants and raspberries, accompanied by sugar-glazed cherries, dried figs, and the indulgent scent of hazelnut chocolate. These fruity and nutty tones are enhanced by subtle notes of toasted almonds, cinnamon, and polished oak, giving the whiskey a warming, fragrant character.
Upon tasting, the whiskey delivers a full-bodied and rounded mouthfeel. The oak tannins work harmoniously with the sweetness of sun-ripened grapes and autumnal fruits, including blackcurrants and raspberries, creating a decadent flavor profile. A hint of spice weaves through the flavors, with fresh ginger and licorice complementing the influence of the wine-seasoned oak casks. The whiskey’s finish is long-lasting, with a rich interplay of pot still spices, fruit, and oak slowly fading to leave a perfectly balanced and complex aftertaste.
The inclusion of the ruby port casks, previously featured in Redbreast’s 27-year-old expression, also adds to the whiskey’s flavor profile. These casks contribute flavors of toasted oak, autumnal fruits, and a dusting of spices, further enriching the overall drinking experience. The result is a whiskey that honors Redbreast’s heritage while introducing something new and exciting for whiskey connoisseurs.
A Whiskey That Bridges Generations
Redbreast 18 Year Old has been crafted to serve as a bridge between the younger and older expressions in the Redbreast family. While Redbreast’s 12-Year-Old expression is known for its vanilla sweetness and toasted wood notes, and the 15-Year-Old offers more herbaceous, savory flavors, the 18-Year-Old brings something distinctly different to the table. The additional aging introduces flavors of dark berries, chocolate, and pronounced tannins, offering a richer and more robust flavor profile. It’s this thoughtful layering of flavors that helps it stand out, while still retaining the signature qualities that Redbreast fans love.
Redbreast’s Master Blender David McCabe emphasized this during the launch, stating, “The addition of Redbreast 18 Year Old to the Redbreast core range beautifully bridges the gap between our older and younger offerings. We wanted to unlock a new taste profile for the Redbreast permanent range while still offering something that feels distinctly Redbreast in its style.”
Redbreast 18 Year Old's International Recognition
Even before its official release, Redbreast 18 Year Old had already garnered attention on the global stage. It earned four Gold Medals in 2024 from prestigious international competitions, including The Irish Whiskey Masters, the Beverage Testing Institute, the International Spirits Challenge, and the International Wine & Spirit Competition. These awards underscore the quality and craftsmanship that went into the creation of this new expression.
Such recognition isn’t new to Redbreast, which has become one of Ireland’s most awarded whiskey brands. Over the years, the brand has consistently impressed whiskey enthusiasts and critics alike, and the Redbreast 18 Year Old continues this tradition of excellence.
Availability and Pricing
Redbreast 18 Year Old is bottled at 46% ABV and is available for purchase in a wide range of countries, including the United States, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Canada, Australia, and many more. It will also be available in global travel retail locations. Priced at an MSRP of $249.99, the whiskey is positioned as a premium product, aimed at both whiskey enthusiasts looking to expand their collections and newcomers seeking an exceptional introduction to Irish whiskey.
Redbreast's Commitment to Innovation
The launch of Redbreast 18 Year Old is not just about introducing a new whiskey; it also reflects the brand’s ongoing commitment to innovation in the world of Irish whiskey. The Midleton Distillery, where Redbreast is produced, is currently undergoing a four-year investment program to expand its production capacity and improve its environmental sustainability. This includes the addition of two new stillhouses and an expansion of its warehousing facilities, ensuring that the distillery will be able to meet growing demand while staying true to its commitment to quality.
Redbreast’s willingness to embrace new cask types and innovative aging processes while maintaining its traditional single pot still methods showcases the brand’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of what Irish whiskey can be. The use of cream sherry casks in the Redbreast 18 Year Old is just one example of how the brand continues to experiment and evolve, creating unique and memorable whiskey experiences for its drinkers.
Conclusion: A New Benchmark for Redbreast
Redbreast 18 Year Old is more than just a new whiskey; it’s a testament to the brand’s dedication to quality, tradition, and innovation. With its intricate blend of cask types and carefully crafted flavor profile, it offers something truly special for both long-time Redbreast fans and those new to the world of whiskey. The addition of the cream sherry casks adds a new dimension to the Redbreast range, making the 18-Year-Old a must-try for anyone interested in exploring the depths of Irish whiskey craftsmanship.
About Redbreast
Redbreast is a distinguished Irish whiskey brand, best known for its rich, complex single pot still expressions that have garnered global recognition and a loyal following. Produced by Irish Distillers at the Midleton Distillery in County Cork, Redbreast has roots dating back to the early 20th century. Its heritage is deeply connected to the tradition of single pot still whiskey, a style that combines malted and unmalted barley, distilled in copper pot stills, which gives the whiskey its unique flavor profile.
Redbreast's story began in the 1900s when W&A Gilbey, a wine and spirits merchant, began aging and bottling whiskey from Jameson’s Bow Street Distillery in Dublin under the Redbreast name. Over the years, the brand has evolved but remains faithful to its origins as a premium Irish whiskey, steeped in tradition. It was one of the few brands to survive the mid-20th-century decline in Irish whiskey production and has played a key role in the modern revival of the category.
The hallmark of Redbreast whiskey is its complex, robust flavor profile, which comes from its unique production process. Unlike many whiskeys that use only malted barley, Redbreast’s single pot still method incorporates both malted and unmalted barley, resulting in a fuller, spicier character. The whiskey is triple-distilled, ensuring smoothness, and is typically aged in a combination of ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks. The sherry cask influence is especially noticeable in Redbreast, imparting rich notes of dried fruit, nuts, and spices that complement the natural barley sweetness.
Redbreast’s core range includes several highly regarded expressions, with the most iconic being Redbreast 12 Year Old, celebrated for its balance of fruit, spice, and oak. This whiskey is a classic representation of single pot still Irish whiskey, with flavors of honey, citrus, and sherry-driven notes. Other notable expressions include Redbreast 15 Year Old, which is richer and more intense, and Redbreast 21 Year Old, a luxurious whiskey that showcases deep complexity and layers of flavor, thanks to extended aging.
In recent years, Redbreast has expanded its lineup to include cask-strength versions and unique limited releases, such as the Redbreast Lustau Edition, which emphasizes its sherry cask influence by finishing the whiskey in Oloroso sherry butts from the Lustau Bodega in Jerez, Spain. These variations have broadened the brand’s appeal to whiskey connoisseurs seeking more nuanced and bold expressions.
Redbreast’s enduring popularity lies in its ability to stay true to the rich tradition of Irish whiskey while also embracing innovation and craftsmanship. Its reputation as one of the finest examples of single pot still Irish whiskey has made it a favorite among whiskey lovers worldwide. Whether enjoyed neat, with a splash of water, or in a premium cocktail, Redbreast offers an exceptional experience, embodying the history and excellence of Irish whiskey-making.
