Red Breast 12 Year-Old, Going Strong
At the May introduction of the its Single Pot Still (SPS) whiskey initiative, IDL stated that it would be extending the brands within the lineup -- Red Breast, Green Spot, Powers and Midleton -- and that Red Breast would be among the first. That first promised introduction happened recently in Dublin with a cask-strength (57.7 % ABV) version of the quintessential Red Breast 12-year-old.
For an account of the launch event and some initial impressions of the cask-strength Red Breast check out David Havelin's account at Irish Whiskey Notes.
The standard Red Breast (40% ABV) is one of my favorite whiskeys in any category. It often tops the preferences when we include it at Irish Whiskey Society of America tastings. It's one of the best all-rounders and I use it as one of my standard Irish whiskey gifts.
The official tasting notes for the cask-strength bottling are:
Nose
A fruit explosion: figs, dates, ripe banana, sultanas, red apple and lime. Pot still spices combine with the sweet vanilla and pine from the casks.
Taste
Deep full dried fruit, a touch of citrus with aromatic oils and spices. Vanilla sweetness leads to toasted oak and barley.
Finish
Exceedingly long finish with a rich complexity of spices and fruit, slowly fading through sweet butterscotch to barley.
Yum.
Availability in the U.S. is expected next February with pricing around $85. We're keen to get hold of a bottle of the cask strength and plan to do so within the next month or so. We'll be back with some tasting notes and observations ASAP and will feature it at a coming IWSA tasting. Meantime if you procure one please share your impressions in the comments.
Sláinte!
For an account of the launch event and some initial impressions of the cask-strength Red Breast check out David Havelin's account at Irish Whiskey Notes.
The standard Red Breast (40% ABV) is one of my favorite whiskeys in any category. It often tops the preferences when we include it at Irish Whiskey Society of America tastings. It's one of the best all-rounders and I use it as one of my standard Irish whiskey gifts.
The official tasting notes for the cask-strength bottling are:
Nose
A fruit explosion: figs, dates, ripe banana, sultanas, red apple and lime. Pot still spices combine with the sweet vanilla and pine from the casks.
Taste
Deep full dried fruit, a touch of citrus with aromatic oils and spices. Vanilla sweetness leads to toasted oak and barley.
Finish
Exceedingly long finish with a rich complexity of spices and fruit, slowly fading through sweet butterscotch to barley.
Yum.
Availability in the U.S. is expected next February with pricing around $85. We're keen to get hold of a bottle of the cask strength and plan to do so within the next month or so. We'll be back with some tasting notes and observations ASAP and will feature it at a coming IWSA tasting. Meantime if you procure one please share your impressions in the comments.
Sláinte!
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