Redbreast 15 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey (700ml) – DAMAGED GIFT BOX

Tasting note:The entrancing bouquet is spicy, creamy yet fresh, all at the same time. One of the most textural and buxom Irish weve tasted: Oily, pithy then more cocoa-like towards the finish with a cascade of sweets suggested, ranging through dark chocolate to vanilla wafer and toasted marshmallow; the oak adds balancing grip, while the overall persistence is quite something as the oils sustain the aftertaste. Equally an Irish to savour with water, which brings another dimension highlighting fruits on the nose (fig, orange oils), as well as in the mouth. Almost like two whiskies in one. Superb.Non chill filtered. 46% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews…Redbreast 12 year old is a classic pure pot still Irish whiskey; where can you go from there? This new 15 year old expression is more muscular (bottling at 46% and not chill filtering certainly helps), but there are trade-offs. Its a bit closed on the nose (like a great Bordeaux wine thats too young). I do enjoy the silky/oily texture, the bold resinous oak spice grip on the finish, and the rich nutty toffee, fig, black raspberry, chocolaty, chewy nougat throughout the palate. Still, its not as eminently drinkable, refined, or balanced as the 12 year old.92 points– www.maltadvocate.com, (Vol. 19, #4)Reviewed by:John Hansell

…In 2007 Irish Distillers produced a one-off 15-year-old expression of Redbreast to celebrate the 50th anniversary of La Maison Du Whisky in Paris, and such was its reception that last year a decision was taken to offer Redbreast 15 as an ongoing release to stand alongside the regular 12-year-old variant. Redbreast is one of the last surviving true Irish pot still whiskeys, triple distilled in pot stills from a mix of malted barley and unmalted grains. The 15-year-old expression is produced at 46%abv and is not chill-filtered. Sherry, marzipan and Christmas cake notes on the nose; lush and oily with figs. A classic, pot still Irish palate, slick and buttery, with spicy Sherry, olives and rye notes. Lengthy in the finish, with enduring oil, citrus fruit and spices.– www.whisky-pages.com