REDBREAST 18 YEAR OLD SINGLE POT STILL IRISH WHISKEY

IRELAND

Why Buy: Master Blender David McCabe's 18-year magnum opus elevates Redbreast's beloved Single Pot Still Whiskey to new heights. Matured in ex-bourbon, Oloroso sherry, and ruby port casks, this triple-distilled, limited-offer release delivers striking depth, glorious maturity, and a wealth of nuances to savor and contemplate. 

What They're Saying: Tally up the results of the six most influential tasting assemblies held over the past 12 years (including the Ultimate Spirits Challenge and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition), and what do you find? That Redbreast is the most-awarded Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey in the world. In 2023 alone, it took home two Double Golds at the John Barleycorn Awards.

Our Tasting Notes: It opens with a nose reminiscent of a well-stocked library, one of those vintage haunts replete with leather-bound books, polished oak shelves, and a fine selection of good cigars. Autumn fruits emerge, their sweetness tempered by a hint of bitter chocolate. On the palate, dried figs and candied orange peel mingle with spicy notes, creating a complex weave of flavors that push-and-pulls you as the whiskey fills your mouth. The finish is a slow, graceful denouement.

The Specs: Triple-distilled and aged for 18 years in a combination of ex-bourbon barrels, Oloroso sherry casks, and ruby port casks. The mash bill is a proprietary blend of malted and unmalted barley from the Munster region. 

The Story: Redbreast calls the lush, rolling hills of County Cork, Ireland, home. This is where the Dungourney River meanders through Clonmult. And this is where McCabe draws upon those soft, clear waters and barley (both malted and unmalted) from the surrounding Munster region, renowned worldwide as a producer of exceptional grain, for his remarkable distillates. This 18 Year Old expression is perhaps Redbreast's crowning statement, a whiskey that embodies both the distillery's rich heritage and its innovative spirit. But nature's bounty provides only half the equation. McCabe brings decades of expertise to bear in the creation of this 18 Year Old. His selection of casks — ex-bourbon barrels, Oloroso sherry casks, and ruby port casks — is both inspired and sensitive, coaxing new dimensions and colorations from a much-beloved expression. It stands as proof that in the world of Irish whiskey, age is not just a number, but a measure of potential realized.

ABV: 46% (92 proof).

What to Pair It With: The complexity of this whiskey makes it a natural partner for a board of aged cheeses — try it with a sharp aged cheddar or a creamy Cashel Blue. For dessert, dark chocolate truffles with a hint of orange zest will draw out the whiskey's fruity notes.

Fun Fact: The name "Redbreast" dates back to 1912, and was supposedly coined by the chairman of Gilbeys (the whiskey bonders who originally created the brand) who was an avid bird-watcher. He likened the rich, reddish hue of the whiskey to the robin redbreast.

Our Guarantee: As always, we only buy and source directly from the distiller, to ensure that your bottles arrive with pristine provenance. Act now to secure yours!