Review #: 158
Description: Redbreast Small Batch Cask Strength 2021
Spirit: Irish Whiskey
Background: Redbreast has released another batch of cask strength whiskey, though this time only one batch with wider distribution. Still rumored to be 14 years but I haven’t seen any official specs, it is still NAS and rather than trying to emphasize just one cask type, it tries to show off both bourbon and sherry. The initial Small Batch Cask Strengths were some of my favorite whiskies of all time (including my only 10/10 as of writing this) so let’s see if it lives up to the past releases.
Distillery – Midleton
Bottler – Midleton
Brand – Redbreast
Selection – N/A
ABV – 58.7%
Age – NAS
Nose – Lot’s of lemon curd, almond extract, honey, decent amount of oak but comes across a bit tannic and sour. Not like any of the previous 4 batches
Taste – A lot different from the nose: rich, fudge, orange, touch of molasses, baked apples
Finish – Brownie batter, rich oak, orange oil, roasted walnuts. Oak balances the sweetness and barrel spices linger
Score: 6
Would I buy a bottle? No
Thoughts: I was a bit worried when I started nosing this as it wasn’t as rich and inviting as the other small batches and had a touch of that sour note coming through. Thankfully, the taste and finish really came through with rich sweetness and chocolate and nuttiness. It didn’t quite live up to the previous releases, but I still think it is good, cask strength Irish whiskey which isn’t easy to come by. The biggest problem though is Redbreast 12 Year CS which is more available, cheaper, and I think a better experience. I’d rather have that bottle than this.