Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength

Darn, the last time I tried this 12 years old Redbreast at cask strength was way back in 2012. But I recently got a sample from the Irish whiskey aficionado Benny, so I had no excuse to postpone this tasting session any longer. I have no reason to complain. It is a pot still whiskey, meaning that both malted and unmalted barley were used. It is vatting of both bourbon and sherry casks.

Lovely nose on tropical fruit with banana, pineapple and passionfruit in the lead, followed by a soft spiciness and some floral notes. I also get some pencil shavings and toasted oak. For a moment there it reminds me of a good grain whiskey, strangely enough.

Perfect mouthfeel. The tropical fruit returns, but is now partly overcome by lots of black pepper and vanilla. The alcohol let's itself be felt. All kinds of wood spices go hand in hand with candies pineapple, mashed banana and a truckload of caramel.

Very long finish on some oak, that pushes the fruit somewhat to the background. The woodspices linger very long.

This is very good stuff. Around 80 EUR. It is worth every penny. Having said that I did prefer the version from 2012.

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