Redbreast 12 Years Cask Strength 2022
The Midleton distillery's 12-years Redbreast bottling is bottled annually in cask strength batches in addition to the 40% strength bottling. The cask strength bottling is also triple distilled in copper pot stills and matured in a combination of bourbon matured American oak casks and oloroso sherry matured Spanish oak casks before being bottled with no added colouring and non-chill filtered. Did you know? The robin is one of the few small birds that also winters in Ireland. The bird species is the eponym for this Irish whiskey.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Wow! Dried fruit, chocolate and vanilla opens up a manifold world of flavours. It feels like every twist of the whiskey is unique. Once we perceive dominant citrus aromas, the second time roasted aromas, light oak and some caramel. A little later, a rich fruit basket follows. Suddenly, some banana comes through, here and there a drop of honey and a gentle hint of cinnamon. The whole thing reminds us of a 5-star hotel breakfast with a gigantic selection.
Palate
Incredibly rich, the Single Pot Still has a lot to offer and the image of a hotel breakfast also fits here. The taste is dominated by cinnamon buns and crepes with cinnamon sugar. They are joined by hay, a little toasted white bread, nutmeg and a super exciting fruitiness. We also find honey. Almonds, Brazil nuts, vanilla and light oak spice round off the velvety smooth taste experience. The approx. 60% ABV is perfectly integrated, so that the alcohol as a flavour carrier brings out and presents the flavours cleanly.
Finish
The long finish of the Redbreast 12 CS is dominated by roasted dates, hay, some milk chocolate, subliminal spicy oak and dried fruit.
Thoughts
Marcel 92/100
This Redbreast 12 Year Cask Strength is a genuine taste experience that’s a lot of fun and delights with its rich variety of aromas. For under 70 euros, you get a true Irish whiskey gem that turns every sip into a little celebration – a must-have for connoisseurs who love character.
Sascha 87/100
With its balanced interplay of cask strength, fruitiness, and spice, this Redbreast 12 CS demonstrates impressive balance and complexity. Despite the intense 58.1% alcohol, it feels structured and clean, though it falls just a bit short compared to the absolute top tier.
Value for Money: Excellent
💸 This whisky offers an outstanding value for money and is our value pick.
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What does 'Cask Strength' mean for the Redbreast 12 Year Cask Strength (2022)?
'Cask Strength' means the whisky is bottled at barrel strength, without dilution to the usual drinking strength. The Redbreast 12 CS therefore has a higher alcohol content of around 58.1%, which makes the aromas more intense and concentrated.
How does the combination of bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks influence the flavor of this whiskey?
Maturation in American bourbon casks imparts vanilla and caramel notes to the whisky, while the Spanish Oloroso sherry casks contribute dried fruit, nuttiness, and a spicy complexity. Together, they create the rich and layered flavor profile of the Redbreast 12 CS.
Why is the Redbreast 12 Year Cask Strength bottled without chill filtration and without added coloring?
Bottling without chill filtration and without added coloring preserves the natural oils and aromas of the whiskey. This results in greater flavor depth and an authentic drinking experience, as is typical for high-quality single pot still whiskeys.