ctbeck11
Redbreast 27 Year
Single Pot Still — Ireland
Reviewed
November 30, 2021 (edited November 20, 2022)
Nose - guava, pineapple, mango, passion fruit, powdered sugar, ginger, mint, allspice, raspberry, nutmeg, strawberry jam, prepared caramel, vanilla bean, spicy oak, moderate ethanol burn.
Taste - guava, strawberry, cherry, spearmint, ginger, cardamom, mango, pineapple, chili pepper, raspberry, grapefruit zest, sparkling apple cider, wine, allspice, clove, plum, spicy oak, moderate to high alcohol bite, finishing medium length with tart tropical fruit, spearmint, and bitter citrus flavors.
This remains the single most expensive bottle I’ve ever purchased. I’ve waited a long time to review this one, mostly because I didn’t really like it when I cracked the bottle a year ago and wanted to give it some time to breathe. Well it’s had enough time, so let’s see if I’ve changed my mind.
The nose leads with an explosion of tropical fruits, some of which I’ve never detected previously in a spirit. Past that, it’s jammy, minty, and a bit spicy with dense oak providing a strong backbone. The palate brings the tropical fruit, but the spicy, minty flavors are highlighted more than on the nose. There’s also a citrus hit alongside the strong oak presence that borders on tannic, but doesn’t quite get all the way there.
So here comes the controversial opinion. I think this is beautifully crafted whisky, but I just don’t love it. And when I spend almost $500 on a bottle, I really want to love it. I’m having difficulty placing specifically what it is that I don’t like. Something about the combination of tropical fruits and spicy, oaky bitterness seems cacophonous.
Back when I had a bottle of the 12 Year Cask Strength, I did a side-by-side and preferred it over this one. I even added some water, and it changed but didn’t make a material difference for me. Who knows. Maybe I just don’t like nice things or need to try more to be able to fully appreciate what Redbreast has produced here. Either way, it’s great whisky but I can’t score it any higher than that for now.
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@ctbeck11 I generally like Redbreast, but find it consistently underdelivering in the value department. I saw this for $550 and was considering splurging on it, but I think your review has convinced me to do otherwise.
@ScotchingHard I’d love to try the 21 Year, but I’m not running out to drop anymore money on Redbreast after the 27 Year and the comparatively disappointing Small Batch Cask Strength. Maybe I’ll find it at a restaurant or track down a sample one day.
@ScotchingHard I haven't tried the 27, but i second your thoughts on the 21.... definitely noticable jumps from the 12-15, and then the 21 is completely different in my mind
Yes. I’d probably say the 12 year CS is the better whisky as well. This one may have overstayed it’s welcome in wood and the port finish did not do it any favors. My favorite Redbreast remains the 21 year old
@Benji-Robert Thank you! And totally. The range of flavors and aromas, specifically those really nice tropical notes, certainly warrants a high price. Maybe not $400+, but the quality is undeniable.
that nearly tannic-but-not sounds worth a three-digit price tag, excellent notes I love smooth, oak-ish, and fruity Europeans so this goes on the bucket list. good writing, cheers.
@PBMichiganWolverine Yep, that could be the reason. I definitely didn’t dislike it. I just wish I loved it.
@ctbeck11 im guessing you’re not a fan of the fruity/oaky/spicy. This had plenty of those three. You liked the Blue Spot, which was more Scottish than Irish, so yeah…I’m guessing it’s the fruity side you probably don’t like. Personally, this was the best Irish I’ve had, but I kinda like the fruity /oaky flavors