Redbreast Small Batch (2021)

I haven't previously had an Irish whiskey that I've been that impressed with, so I come to this tasting a bit skeptical. I figured I would like it more than any other that I've tried, but wasn't expecting to want to go out and buy a bottle. Tasting blind I might've guessed this is a bourbon on the nose with a big dose of carmelized sugar, although this comes across as creamier and shows some of the green apple that I normally find in Irish. The taste is more like an Irish, but the high proof gives it much more concentrated flavors. Given the nose, the palate is a bit underwhelming, but still quite tasty, particularly for an Irish whiskey. I thought I might go out and buy a bottle, but then saw that this is nearly a Benjamin around here, and that's a little more than I'd like to spend on this. Big props again to @ctbeck11 for the sample! Really glad to have had the opportunity to try this one.

Nose - red berry, powdered sugar, marshmallow, honey, fig, vanilla cream, shortbread cookie, walnut, caramel, pineapple skin, grass, bitter herbal notes, nutmeg, clove, anise, banana, toasted coconut, raisin bread, moderate ethanol burn. Taste - cherry, strawberry, peach, honey, spearmint, ginger, chili pepper, caramel, vanilla, shortbread cookie, walnut, anise, apple, allspice, nutmeg, cocoa, plum, moderate to high alcohol bite, finishing medium length with red berry, spearmint, and herbal flavors. After an internal struggle, I decided to purchase the new and improved Redbreast Cask Strength, now with no age statement. Sarcasm fully intended. They even brazenly kept the price the same as its 12 Year predecessor. It’s actually more expensive in some places. So has this new NAS incarnation given Redbreast the flexibility to craft batches that far exceed the quality of the original? Let’s find out. Red berries leap from the glass on the nose. Following closely behind are honey, the classic shortbread cookies, a hint of tropical fruit, and creamy vanilla. Actually I’m getting strong strawberries and cream or fruity parfait vibes. The palate brings the same fruitiness, but also a very strong spearmint flavor. Chocolate and baking spices are present as well, but herbal notes provide the dominant counterbalance to those honeyed and sherried fruits. Long story short, I don’t think this is better than the 12 Year Cask Strength. As expected, it tastes noticeably younger. The dark, dried fruits are replaced with bright red ones. And the strong minty, herbal notes are an unwelcome addition in my opinion. Overall this is very good, but it pales in comparison to the original. This review is effectively based on the neck pour, so maybe some of the brightness will subside in a few months. I’ll post an update if it improves dramatically, but I doubt it will. I should have followed my instincts and left this one on the shelf, but unfortunately I’m $120 lighter for a whiskey that’s probably worth slightly more than half that.

Sweet

Nose: Buttery shortbread cookies, but with some bright pineapple and citrus character floating on top. There's a warm, sweet, floral character also coming through, with a toach of oak and vanilla. Fig newtons with icing come to mind. The proof doesn't jump out at you, though makes itself known if you leave your schnozz in the glass long enough. Undeniably Irish, however. Just denser, richer, and a bit more interesting. Just a touch of herbal and grassy bits. Palate: Really concentrated Irish character - shortbread cookies with vanilla. Figs. Creamy with a solid medium-dense mouthfeel. A little barrel bite and some decent tannins are coming through here. Chocolate, raspberries, blueberry sauce. Nutmeg and clove. Black licorice. Black pepper. Slightly oily and coats the palate. This is all midrange and mid palate. Finish: A big splash of licorice, flowers, and ethanol. Oak and sweet vanilla slowly push forward, and then a hot cinnamon and pepper 1-2 punch. Some bitterness also shows up, then things mellow out with chocolate-dipped bananas, vanilla, and whipped cream. That oil content is helping this hang out for a while, lending a medium-long finish. Other notes: This reminds me of two things. One, it's almost like Stagg Jr., but for Irish. A whiskey concentrate that has flavors and aromas dialed up to 11. Two, like Jameson Caskmates Stout but with a pinky sticking out. While the proof absolutely makes itself known, it's not too harsh, instead opting for a more levelheaded, moderated heat that keeps things interesting. I don't have any familiarity with the fabeled Red Breast 12 Cask Strength, so this review is not influenced by that particular expression. That being said, as good as this is, it falls a little short. I want more richness, more density, and less bright fruit. There's nothing inherently flawed going on here, mind. It's just not the character I'm looking for from this particular label. Maybe something I'll seek out from time to time, though not something I'd feel compelled to always have on hand. Hard to reccommend given the price point, though if you're looking for something bigger and bolder and different than your standard Irish, this might fit the bill. Cheers!

Redbreast and the Spots generally set the standard in the Irish category for me personally. I had to make a tough call here as I was offered Blue Spot or this bottle. Based on the rarity factor I rolled the dice on this one so let's see if I picked right... Nose is sweet. Honey and maybe a touch of clover. For a cask strength offering there is surprisingly little alcohol on the nose. First sip is fairly complex. Honey, golden raisins, and a touch of cinnamon come to mind immediately. There is a very nice soft burn that develops midway, but for a cask strength it is quite mild. The finish is where the Sherry comes on strong with hints of sweet wine and red berries drift away. While I am sure the Blue Spot is lovely I am quite happy I picked this bottle. Overall the flavors are excellent and each sip seems to unlock more flavor. This is definitely not a dram to rush through. I would not hesitate to grab one if I see it again and I highly suggest you do the same!