Redbreast 15 Year

Tasted as a set with the 12 year and Lustau. You immediately notice a difference in the sweeter nose of this vs the 12. Prominent honey and vanilla flavors. Lingering mellow burn at the finish. Definitely prefer this over the 12 year. This may be my favorite Irish Whiskey to date.

Spicy, strong taste

Nose: pot still, pears, caramel apples Palate: creamy and chewy, more caramel apple, pot still and baking spice. Light and refreshing Finish: warm spices

Redbreast 15 is a grand whiskey. Supposedly it is the same “juice” as the 12, aged in both bourbon and sherry casks; but, bottled at an older age and the higher proof of 46%ABV. I have no idea if the casks are hand selected for the extra aging, if they come from a certain part of the warehouse, etc. It pours slightly reddish light amber. It noses very much like the 12 year old, toasted cereal grains, citrus (lemon?), sherry fruit, and a hint of oak bitterness this time. In the mouth these flavors predicted by the nose burst forth and play well together. The only real negative is that oak bitterness comes through toward the end and lingers in the finish. Yes, this is a grand whiskey---but, if I had to choose between this 15 and the 12 to have as my daily dram on some lonely isle for the rest of my days, I would choose the 12. It is ever so slightly more balanced to my taste.

Nose: green apple; sugar and maple as it warms; soft oak Taste: green apple on the front, slightly biting but mostly smooth; buttery Finish: medium lasting with oaky bite