Whiskey News: Red Breast 15, Shackleton's Whisky
Some exciting whisk(e)y news during an otherwise quiet August:
First, Red Breast 15-year-old will be arriving in the U.S. in September. Don't know where and when yet but keep your eyes open and report in here if you find it. This is a much-anticipated revival of one of the most sought-after Irish whiskeys. The last issue of RB15 was a very limited release in Europe with the odd bottle showing up for sale in the U.S for around $200. There was some clamor and consternation at Pernod's Ricard's stinginess with the stuff, but late last year they announced plans for its return as a regular item. It will be priced at $74.99.
The company states: "Redbreast 15 Year Old pure pot still whiskey, the latest addition to the family, is distilled from malted and unmalted barley in traditional copper pot stills and matured for a minimum of 15 years in a combination of old Spanish Oloroso sherry casks and fresh American bourbon whisky barrels."
Red Breast 12 is commonly available in the U.S for about $40 and in my opinion is the best all-around Irish whiskey today. I always have a bottle on hand and often gift it to both regular whisk(e)y drinkers and the whiskey-curious. I have the first release of RB15 also and it is wonderful.
Next, the 100-year-old frozen crate of Mackinley's Scotch discovered at Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic campsite was open this week. Samples were drawn by distiller White & Mackay for analysis to see if the original blend can be replicated. None will be drank, though you wonder if master blenders would perhaps gain valuable knowledge of its composition by applying their expert senses to it. The 11 bottles will be returned to the site where they were found.
Hey, Richie! Found yer "voice", I see, didja? Thought maybe ye'd been kidnapped or something. I, for one, will be looking hard for this newbie; hope to get my hands on one in time for my next tasting in December. I, too, sing the praises of the 12 yr old Redbreast as my no-question favorite. I like my Powers and always have one in the cupboard, but, when the chips are down, and good company is near, I feel the need to pull out the RB, in one move showing the significance of the occasion. Will certainly let you know when it becomes available here.
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Rich, just checked the Michigan Liquor Commission new items list for August. There is a "Danny Boy" for $28 and the aforementioned 15yr old RB for $180. Yikes!
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Haven't heard of Danny Boy but my guess is that it's Cooley blend for the US market along the lines of Michael Collins, John L. Sullivan and others. That $180 RB15 is from the first release. Gotta be.
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