Redbreast 18 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is matured in a combination of ex-bourbon barrels and casks seasoned with oloroso sherry, cream sherry and ruby port. Bottled at 46% ABV, it comes in a 750ml format and is priced at $249.99.
Smooth and polished on the palate, the complex cask regime serves up flavors of milk chocolate, licorice, black grape, sultana, date, ginger root, currants, and clove. The finish serves up dried fruit and licorice, with hints of leather and coffee bean.
At 46% abv it packs plenty of flavour, however I feel this release could have been truly spectacular at a slightly higher percentage. The price tag feels on the higher side but in contrast to other age statement Irish releases it follows suit and carves it spot well on the Redbreast branch.
I know Redbreast (Midleton) is capable of producing a great, flavorful whiskey, but this is not that. This is a way overpriced shelf-turd from Pernod Ricard, and the fact that this is now sitting on shelves across my home state is evidence of that.
