Redbreast 12 Cask Strength Batch B1/15

This is my second run-through with this particular batch. It blew me away the first time, and made me an instant fan of the RB12 CS. Let’s see if this batch holds up to my memory. Nose: Big-time shortbread cookie. Gala and green apple. Golden raisin and cranberry. Plum and apricot. Floral notes. Walnut, almond, macadamia, and cashew. Orange citrus. Cocoa. Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Palate: Caramel, vanilla, and toffee. Apple, plum, and cola. Cranberry, red grape, golden raisin. Orange and apricot. Vanilla frosting. Cashew, walnut, and almond. Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Finish: Caramel, toffee, vanilla. Cashew, almond, walnut. Apple, grape, golden raisin, plum, orange citrus, cranberry. Cinnamon red hots, clove, nutmeg, and oak. It’s a long finish—an absolute beast at 57.4%. It’s as good as I recall. Maybe better considering I can handle the heat better than I could when I cracked my first bottle of this. Nose, palate, and finish see barely any variation between them. Yet, the flavor profile embodies the quintessential Redbreast spirit, and that puts this in fantastic company. At $90, this is a bargain. It’s as good as any whiskey in that price range—and as good as many above it for that matter. I’m glad I got two bottles of this batch. If I’m ever lucky enough to stumble across another, I’ll be buying on sight. 5/5.