Last Friday was the seventh instalment of our Bristol based whisky club, two exciting things happened. Firstly, we grew by two and we had our first blind tasting. There were four drams, which I chose to create journey and spark discussion. The idea was that too often we make decisions about whisky from what we have heard about a distillery and the packaging that they are in. We chose four whiskies, one from England, one from Wales, one from Scotland and one from Ireland.
Tonight, we are marking the evening by reviewing one of the drams. Tonight’s whiskey for review is Redbreast 12 Year Old. Redbreast is produced by Jameson’s whisky in Cork. It is an Irish single pot still whisky, which is a style of whisky only produced in Ireland. Made from malted and unmalted barley, which is then triple distilled in specially created in copper pots.
Cost: £30-40
Appearance: Deep coppery gold.
Aroma: Deep vintage oak, rich, fruity cider and sweet vanilla.
Taste: Initially this is an incredibly smooth, silky and light flavoured whisky. There is a single cream quality, both in the pour and in the initial notes. There is also a caramelised apple flavour, which adds sweetness and fruit. These notes feel quintessentially Irish potstill.
In the middle there is a peppery flavour, which is warm and fruity like fresh cracked black pepper. This heat sits on the tongue, then drops backward down the throat. There is a leathery, well aged quality to this middle part of the dram.
As the spice melts away, there is a cream, leather and apple. It is dignified and classy.
Mouthfeel: Light, creamy and thick.
Overall: I chose this whisky for the blind tasting, because I have been really lucky to drink some great Irish whiskies and this pound for pound was one of my favourites. Also, there had been some derisory comments floating about around light whiskies having no flavour. I think that this whiskey produces great flavours at each stage, whilst being light and creamy.
Real Dram Factor: 7.6
Source: Bottle purchased for Whisky Club
More Information: Single Pot Still.com
Buy Online: Master of Malt: Redbreast 12 – £39.88 or Amazon: Redbreast 12 – £44.94