Single malt whisky - tasting notes

09 Jul 2009

Redbreast 12yo

Posted by: Ruben In: * Ireland

Redbreast is not a single malt, but pure pot still whiskey. It’s made from a mixture of both malted and unmalted barley. It’s not strictly a blend either, because the mixture is distilled at once instead of blending them afterwards. Although it’s typically Irish, nowadays the tradition is taken over by malt whiskey.

 

Redbreast 12yo Redbreast 12y (40%, OB 2008)

Nose: creamy and fruity. Pear, banana and peach, with a layer of sweet honey. A bit of marzipan. Very rich vanilla pudding. Fresh cake and hints of sherry. Slightly waxy. Some red pepper in the distance. Mouth: oily mouth-feel, fruity again (cassis, strawberry). Coconut with peach. Gingery notes as well. Finish: growing spicier with hints of liquorice. Pears and honey. Quite some nutmeg, and a slightly winey aftertaste.

The nose is very attractive. On the palate it slows down a bit, but it’s still a very decent Irish whiskey at a great price.

Around € 35.

Score: 83/100

Redbreast 12yo 3 Ruben Luyten 2009-07-09
  • http://blog@thewhiskyexchange.com Tim F

    I rate this much higher, Ruben (although I am Irish, so i guess that might affect my judgement).

    Redbreast is one of my all-time house whiskies – so easy to drink.

  • http://www.visionR.be Ruben

    Exactly, it’s as drinkable as it gets and very well composed, but it doesn’t have the complexity of good Scotch malts. 83 is a good score by the way, certainly at this price level. The Cooley ‘Our Angel’ in the Daily Dram series is still my favourite Irish.

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  • I_Spey

    Irish or not(I’m from Holland) I also rate Redbreast much higher: 88 It’s a superbe whiskey(although the 15yo was even 3 to 4 points better, imo).

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  • S.: Hi Ruben, I forgot to mention you that alongside the very good Benriach 1976 PX Finish 54.1% I already mentioned you, I also tried the 1990 Tawny Por
  • WhiskyNotes: I meant that in an affirmative way: you absolutely wouldn't be tempted to think this was distilled on Islay, because it's clearly different.
  • StuartHighland: 'You would never think this was distilled on Islay'... that because it wasnt. It was distilled at Balblair, but matured in a cask previously used by a

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1259 notes by Ruben

WhiskyNotes - Ruben LuytenThis blog is my personal collection of impressions, written while searching for the ultimate single malt whisky.