In September 2024 Redbreast added a first 18 Year Old expression to its core range. It uses a combination of light and medium pot still distillates from Midleton distillery and fills the gap between the 15 Years and 21 Years.
The recipe for this Redbreast mentions different types of barrels. Bourbon, Oloroso (mostly first-fill) and small amount of Ruby Port wine. They also mention Cream sherry casks (from their cooper Antonio Páez Lobato) which are said to be the secret to creating its profile.
Redbreast 18 yo (46%, OB 2024)
Nose: rich and rather buttery, with toffee notes and dark fruits like blackberries, cherry jam and hints of fig bread. Some brighter hints of orange, quickly followed by darker brown sugar. Also black pepper and ginger – even a hint of rye whiskey. Then a volatile top note too, almost nail polish remover. Vanilla ice cream with bits of chocolate in the distance.
Mouth: still some red fruits, along with candied mango, raisin bread and blackberries. Nice enough, but rather on the dark side, showing some wine tannins along the way. Also, there’s a boozy edge to it, Mon Chéri style. Then it moves towards darker chocolate and earthy / bready notes, with a hint of black pepper, cinnamon and all-spice.
Finish: medium length, still a hint of brandy soaked fruits with pot still spice and some tannic edges.
Maybe four types of casks is a bit over the top here, they all bring positive elements but also negative things, especially winey elements. More importantly they seem to dominate the brighter, fruitier distillery character which we love so much in the Redbreast 12 and 15 Years. Overall not a bad whiskey, but the price is steep. Available from The Whisky Exchange or Master of Malt for instance.