A neat little trio of Redbreast


February 9, 2026

A neat little trio of Redbreast

It's true, we don't taste enough Irish whiskey! We'll have to put that right with three single pot still Redbreasts from Midleton…
Oh, and sorry about the result of the France–Ireland match in the Six Nations last week — honestly, we’ve got so much love for the Irish!

(Midleton)

Redbreast 12 yo ‘Cask Strength Batch B1/12’ (58.6%, OB, single pot still, 2012)

A version from over twelve years ago that we’ve yet to taste. About time, really. Colour: gold. Nose: I find it distinctly less fruity than expected on the nose, at least without water. It's even rather peppery and herbaceous for a Redbreast, at this stage anyway, and quite hot. With water: the water releases melon and beeswax, along with all sorts of apples, though the pepper remains. Mouth (neat): lots of peppered apples and a fairly evident bourbon character, even a slightly rustic tutti frutti eau-de-vie. Quite surprising. With water: we’ve finally arrived at our destination, with the expected fruit salad and a few drops of peanut oil. This oily side is quite typical. A few cereals come through next. Finish: of medium length, on orchard fruits with a touch of honey. Comments: it’s very odd, when we taste the 12-year-old at 40% vol., we regret not having more wattage, and when we taste the cask strength versions, we regret the 40% vol. ones. Is it serious, doctor?
SGP:451 - 80 points.

Redbreast 27 yo ‘Batch B1/2019’ (54.6%, OB, single pot still, 2019)

A vatting of port, bourbon and sherry casks. Once again we’re running late, having already tasted batch 5 upon its release in 2024, which we adored (WF 90). Colour: dark gold. Nose: simply superb. The wines don’t really show, at least not the ruby port, as it opens with a solo performance of mango, followed by bananas, rosehip infusion and ling heather honey. A very slight muscat note, Turkish delights, rose petals… With water: a hint of damp chalk, greenhouse atmosphere, herbal teas and assorted infusions… It’s truly beautiful. Mouth (neat): a perfect mirror of the nose, only with more punch, centred on pink pepper and blood orange. Magnificent and dangerously easy at this strength. With water: the mango returns in full splendour, with pink pepper acting as bodyguard and just a flicker of pineapple. Truly splendid. Finish: long, strikingly fresh for its age, with a fruitiness increasingly geared toward citrus. Blood oranges and white pepper on the aftertaste. Comments: it’s absolutely delicious! It should be compared with another batch to see if there’s any variation…
SGP:641 - 90 points.

Well, exactly… (what a stitch-up, S.!)

Redbreast 27 yo ‘Batch B2/2019’ (53.5%, OB, single pot still, 2019)

Same cask types as Batch 1 and considering they released a second batch in the same year, it’s fair to say the first was quite a success. So then, let’s see whether they’re really different… Colour: full gold. Nose: well it’s close, but there are differences, notably some notes of silverware and linden blossom added to the mango, honey, etc. As a result, it’s less “clean-cut”, but it’s more complex. You can’t have it all. With water: slightly more toasted, a touch more on cashew, pecan, even macadamia nuts. But the engine remains the same. Mouth (neat): even closer to Batch 1 on the palate, the fruitiness is just as expressive, though there’s perhaps a slightly greater sherry presence, especially with notes of nutty little cakes. With water: the mango returns in full fanfare, along with a few dried white mulberries, even some goji. Finish: long, and now nearly identical to that of Batch 1. Blood oranges, light pepper, hints of angelica. Comments: I very, very slightly prefer this Batch 2, but not quite enough to justify a different score.
SGP:641 - 90 points.

We should have more Irish coming soon, including some from new distilleries, but also some old Bushmills and the like. Stay tuned.
(Thank you, Ryan)

Check the index of all Irish whiskies we've tasted