Redbreast Just Added an 18-Year-Old Expression to Its Irish Whiskey Portfolio
Redbreast Irish Whiskey unveiled an 18-year-old expression as part of its permanent portfolio. (Photo: Redbreast Irish Whiskey)
On Thursday, Redbreast Irish Whiskey announced the addition of an 18-year-old expression to its permanent line. The whiskey is aged in a mixture of ex-bourbon, oloroso, cream sherry, and ruby port casks. It clocks in at 46% ABV and hosts a suggested retail price of $249.
“The unveiling of Redbreast 18 Year Old is a moment of pride for us,” Redbreast Master Blender Emeritus Billy Leighton said in a news release. “We’re incredibly fortunate to have a variety of aged stock at Midleton Distillery and with its unique flavor profile, we are confident this will be a welcome addition to whiskey enthusiast’s collections and a delightful first-hand experience for those new to whiskey.”
The brand shared that a rainbow of sherry casks were used during the maturation process, including a cream sherry cask from the Antonio Páez Lobato cooperage. This type of cask is rarely used at Redbreast, and the dessert qualities of the cream sherry add a “syrupy sweetness” that pleasantly offsets Redbreast’s flavor profile, according to the brand.
The brand shared that Redbreast 18 Year Old is meant to link the brand’s younger and older whiskeys within its core line — particularly from a flavor standpoint.
Redbreast says its 12-year-old offering leads with vanilla and toasted wood qualities, while the 15-year-old whiskey is more savory and herbaceous. The 18-year-old Irish whiskey, Redbreast says, features dark berries and chocolate flavors, while its 27-year-old expression features autumn fruits and spices.
The expression is available for purchase in the following countries: Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, The Netherlands, Norway, Persian Gulf, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, GTR, the U.K., and the U.S.
“This new addition to the Redbreast core range beautifully bridges the gap between our older and younger offerings,” Master Blender David McCabe said. “We wanted to unlock a new taste profile for the Redbreast permanent range while still offering something that feels distinctly Redbreast in its style. By incorporating the cream sherry casks, we’ve created a whiskey that boasts a rich profile of dark chocolate, blackcurrants and hazelnuts. This expression not only honors our heritage but also showcases our commitment to innovation in Irish whiskey making.”
This release follows May’s news that Redbreast finished its Dream Cask Collection with a 38-year-old whiskey that matured in bourbon casks for 27 years and spent the rest of its time finishing in an Oloroso sherry cask, following Redbreast’s signature style.
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