Redbreast has an Iberian series which uses different kinds of casks from the Iberian peninsula. They started with a PX edition in 2021 or 2022, and one year later it was followed by this Redbreast Tawny Port Cask. There is also Cuatro Barriles which combines a whole array of cask types.
This Port finished whiskey comes from ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso casks, which were combined and finished in Tawny Port hogsheads.
Redbreast Tawny Port Cask Edition (46%, OB ‘Iberian Series’ 2023)
Nose: red candy, raspberry and redcurrants, as well as raisin cake, plum jam and hints of butterscotch. Then some creamy vanilla, brown sugar and hints of thyme syrup in the background. There are some wood shavings and cinnamon as well, with light nutty notes.
Mouth: the pot still spice comes out, with a light bitter edge. Orange peels and nutmeg, with walnuts and some tannic notes, almost of a mulled wine or vermouth. More winey than I expected. Black peppercorns, hints of burnt sugar, as well as some herbal notes and chocolate brownies towards the end.
Finish: medium length, with more chocolate and herbs, alongside liquorice and clove.
While the nose suggested a more candied, syrupy whiskey, this Rebreast turned more winey and herbal on the palate. It tends to overtake what I like so much about Redbreast. Decent but only a shadow of the glorious single Port casks, and I prefer the PX release as well. Now sold out in most places, despite having been presented as a permanent bottling.