Redbreast 12 Year Old

Redbreast 12-year single pot still Irish Whiskey is triple distilled and matured in the finest oak casks for not less than 12 years. I purchased this for St. Patrick's Day in 2012 as it was the only unblended Irish whiskey in the place, which after doing some follow-up research, was not surprising (Green Spot's the only other single pot still that comes to mind).

Colour is probably irrelevant since I suspect it's aided, no clue if the Irish chill filter but I don't see why they wouldn't.

The nose is certainly different from what I've generally experienced with single malt. I would say spice and green wood are the two main notes. Nutmeg, pine, freshness, orange peel emerges. It's a lighter nose and not overly compelling to me.

On the tongue it is sweeter and fruitier than the nose would have suggested. Spices, and also some sour citrus notes and a bit of salt. Some sherry as well, but married with the spices, salt, and citrus, it is not able to dominate as sometimes happens with single malts. Tasty stuff. The oak asserts itself in the finish, which is a bit bitter. At 80 proof it could use a little more muscle but it can still warm you up.

This was a real bargain when I picked it up, at $45 in Ontario. The price is now about $70, representing a 50% mark-up in two years. That's probably still a good deal relative to what single malts are currently doing, but even at that I don't think I'll be doubling down on the 12-year old. I note the 15-year is bottled at 46% and there is also a 12-year cask strength; these could really be something. So it will probably be one of those next, if anything.

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