Redbreast 21 Year

Thanks to Flaviar, I got this for a good price. I've had the entire Redbreast line, the 15 and 12 CS being my faves. This one, however, is so complex that I have almost no words to describe how amazing it is. The time spent in bourbon and sherry casks come through with the vanilla, oak spice, nuttiness and tons of fruit character. Dark, tropical, fleshy...it's all there. Word to the wise, let it sit in the glass for at least 15 to 20 minutes before enjoying.

There is some spice mixed with delicious malty orange peel and a bit of apple in a way that competes with Bushmill's 21. This is so, so much better than Redbreast 15. The richness and finish are superb. It really competes with Springbank 10 side-by-side, albeit in a different dimension. It might edge out Springbank 10, but barely so. There are so many flavors in here that it makes a dramatic statement. Apple and pear. A bit of spice that is not limited to cinnamon. Some malty grain plays a prominent role. Orange, of course. Macallan meets Bushmill's: this is a terrific experience. Without a doubt, this beats Macallan Rare Cask. It's smokey with some nice spice, honey, and orange peel. It's quite rich and full for an Irish whiskey. There's kind of that off note that haunts most Irish whiskeys. It's very good, bit not excellent. Certainly, it isn't worth the price. There's definitely some hay, which gives it a bit of a rye flavor. There's some tangerine and cherry here that are nice but the off backing is still a problem. The balance is adequate, but it's also a bit muddled.

Banana chips on the nose.