Review #: 130
Description: Redbreast Small Batch Cask Strength “C”
Spirit: Irish Whiskey
Background: Redbreast released a series of 4 batches of cask strength whiskey specifically for the American market (in fact, only a few stores in California and Massachusetts). While they do not carry an official age statement, all are at least 14 years old. Each batch is meant to highlight some difference in the whiskey. With an MSRP of $100, it’s high but not to out of the realm of the market for older, cask strength Irish. Batch C tries to showcase tropical fruit notes in the whiskey.
The Redbreast Small Batch Cask Strength samples were provided by a friend who had tracked down all 4. I am extremely grateful for his generosity in sharing these with me.
Distillery – Midleton
Bottler – Midleton
Brand – Redbreast
Selection – N/A
ABV – 59.1%
Age – 14 Years
Nose – Yeasty bread, mango, ginger, waxy fruit, tart citrus
Taste – Lots of oak, licorice, lots of tart lemon and lime citrus
Finish – Oak tannins, black pepper, long finish but a bit on the hot side.
Score: 6
Would I buy a bottle? Probably
Thoughts: This was very interesting to get the difference between the first two. It definitely brings in more tropical fruits to the mix, but doesn’t seem to have developed as well with the oak as the others. Still, it’s good whiskey and if I could have, I’d have bought it at retail.