REDBREAST MISSOURI OAK EDITION
SINGLE POT STILL IRISH WHISKEY
IRELAND
Why Buy: The iconic and beloved Redbreast is widely considered to be the definitive single pot still Irish whiskey, and the American Oak Series is proof not just of its greatness – we think it goes so far as to transcend its own category, and are thrilled to have acquired a small allocation of the second installment in the series for our Concierge Family. This smooth and creamy ultra-premium whiskey was triple-distilled, matured in ex-bourbon casks and Oloroso sherry butts, and re-casked for 10 months in hand-selected, virgin American oak casks from the Ozark Forest in Missouri, and you can assuredly taste the careful detailing that went into every step of its creation.
What They're Saying: Judges have long recognized the greatness of Redbreast. In fact, in our tally of 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), we discovered 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.
The Story: Master Blender David McCabe is not just blessed to be working with Master Blender Emeritus Billy Leighton, one of the greats in the industry. He's also blessed with the enormous advantages that nature bestowed on County Cork, Ireland. The waters from the nearby Dungourney River, which flows through the verdant hills of Clonmult, are clear and soft, and it can be no coincidence that the whiskeys of Redbreast, built from these very same waters, are themselves so often smooth and creamy. The mash bill is a mix of malted and unmalted barley, both derived from the Munster region that surrounds the distillery, source of some of the most extraordinary grain to be found anywhere in the world.
Our Tasting Notes: It launches on waves of toffee, apple, and vanilla, with trailing eddies of ripe black currants and black cherries and, in the background, hints of cinnamon, ground ginger, and pecan pie. This bravura opening is more than matched by the palate, whose oak tannins give way to a luscious, creamy texture that, for all its richness, manages somehow to retain its sense of balance. The spicing is symphonic – cinnamon, nutmeg, black peppercorns – and this, plus the building sweetness, makes for an almost decadent dram. The finish is long, and the pot still spicing is met by hints of rich, toasted nuts.
The Bottling: This latest installment in the American Oak Series pays homage to the cerulean warbler, which is currently suffering the greatest population decline among North American warblers. But more than just honoring this beautiful and essential bird with a commercial showcase and a vibrant blue box, the label hopes to draw attention to its plight. Toward that end, it is working with Dr. Jeff L. Larkin, a professor of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at Indiana University in Pennsylvania, to highlight just how essential American oak woodlands are for these increasingly rare birds.
ABV: 50.5% (101 proof).
Fun Fact: The label gets its name from Robin Redbreast, a bird native to the Emerald Isle, and a favorite of the chairman of W & A Gilbey, which essentially launched the company when it introduced Redbreast branding in the early 1900s. Both Redbreast and Jameson were produced in the same Bow Street distillery, in Dublin.
Our Guarantee: We always buy and source directly from the distiller, so rest assured: your whiskey will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Order yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Summer 2024. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in DE, KS, MI, NC, NY, TN, VA, or WA. This offer will expire on Thursday, May 9, 2024.
