The history of Irish whisky is just as rich as that of Scotland. Like Scotland there was an ongoing battle between the moonshiners that made "poteen" and the "Parlimentary" or government approved distillers. In the end it's all about taxes, aye? Simplistically speaking, the presumptive differences are that:
1. Whiskey (Irish) vs Whisky (Scots)
2. Triple distilled (Irish) vs double-distilled.
When disillation was liberalized in 1823, all hell broke loose and Jameson got serious, distilling huge quantiies of Irish whiskey in massive pot stills. Scotland took great issue and like the Diageo of today, hardly played fair. The Scots proceeded to buy up and actually destroy many of Ireland's grain farms. The Brit in support refused to buy Prohibition product from Ireland. And of all entities, the Irish PM made exports illegal and raised taxes.
This was devastating and left but three distilleries which were all finally merged into one: the Irish Distillers Ltd. As per the Wiki, things almost miraculously turned around and three distillers were reestablished: Bushmill's, Cooley & Kilbeggan and Irish Distillers, the latter making Jamesons, Powers, Paddy and...
Redbreast. All are made at New Midleton, and ID is owned by Pernod.
The ID uses the following to produce a wide variety of distillates: 3 column stills, and four pots stills (2 wash, 1 feint, 1 spirit). In about 1980 they also got very, very serious about wood. They make 4000 new sherry casks, and established solid arrangements for bespoke casks of madiera and port as well. Redbreast is a pure pot still, triple-distilled spirit based on primarily malted barley and is bottled in bond. Rum take note.
Basta! The reviews...
Sue Sea:
Moi: Redbreast 12 is a treasure. Although $56 wouldn't bother most whisk(e)y lovers, we are but poor and ordinary fellow travellers. I found this for about $36, would I only do so again! Redbreast 12 is one of those few spirits that you appreciate so much that you ration it, to try to save it forever. Were that only so, as well.Although in general I'm not a huge whisky fan, I surely am for specific products. And in either case, I know a good spirit when I taste one. Redbreast 12 rings my bells, but don't tell Jim. It is delivered in the kind of squat, green glass classic bottle that I love, featuring a lovely parchment label, with a quiet and elegant deep red and gold type face, balanced by a deep red neck strap and mahogany wood capped cork. The impression is quaint and rich.
The nose was just lovely, opening with a nice deep leather, over very ripe peach nectar, and hints of vanillan and orange citrus. Had Jim told me this was a fine and pure, well-aged rum I could have been fooled. The early palate is honeylike, not heavy, but divinely and lightly sweet. It was like biting into a baclava, rich and chock full of sweet nuts like pecans, and brown sugar in a growing richness. In the back palate, all came together in an integrated sweet/heat, harmonious and pastrylike Time for another sip. And then?
Heat. Good balancing heat. Think clove and a bit of ginger and cinnamon. The glowing finish was a bit warmer yet, of cinnamon over a fading clove, and white pepper in what I'd describe as a kick, then fade to a light and residual lip glow.
Although this spirit will be enjoyed at any time, to me the Redbreast 12 seems perfect for after a meal. It is certainly one to share with good friends or guests. But don't give it to them too early, or they won't leave!
Redbreast 12 presents as an uncolored spirit shoud: a nice medium gold with a proper green edge. The opening aroma is richly aromatic, a deep orangey tar (think MGXO) with distant vanillan - a very rumlike presentation (assuming a truly fine rum). The palate opens with a light honey in both taste and consistency, with a bright orange then flowing into toward a lightly astringent leather-honey-orange and a nicely spicy clove finish, becoming a black pepper. Sue Sea's "kicking" finish is appropriate and adds a nice punctuation mark to the experience.
Integrated, skilfully distilled and aged with distinction. If you can afford it, buy it. If you can't, beg one for a gift or simply steal it. I'm serious. My only criticism: Redbreast 12 is delivered at 40 proof - another 3 or 4% would be greatly appreciated. There is also a 15 year which is generally even better regarded, but only intermittently available.
There's a lot of history in this bottle. Redbreast 12 is one I would steal again...
Score (ten is best): marginal 9.
