Nose opens with lots of fruits and as I was trying to discern them, it hit me…this smells a lot like a fruit cocktail. Which (and I had to look this up) apparently contains peaches, pears, pineapple, grapes and cherries. So yeah, all of that. Add dates, plum, a hint of licorice and soft, fresh cut oak tree. Smells really inviting. The palate does not disappoint. I will say that from that fruit cocktail nose only pear and grape make it through to the palate, along with date, fig, toffee, golden raisin, milk chocolate, pomegranate, and nutmeg, Flavors are richer than the ABV would indicate. Mouthfeel is light and airy; a perfect match for the flavor profile and proof. It’s hard to call this fruity and sweet of a whiskey “balanced” but maybe…harmonious (?) as everything comes together rather perfectly. Finish transitions from the palate in a slow, measured fashion. Oak and spices come in bringing with it a slight bitterness that really helps this from becoming cloying from the sweetness. The bulk of the finish is relatively short but lingering notes of allspice and cinnamon last way longer than expected. Darker and sweeter than the Lusteau edition, this is by all means a delight. Now, I must get something off my chest: damn you Redbreast. Damn you straight to hell for making a delicious 92 proof whiskey that retails for $119.00! Grrr. Literally the price point is the only thing keeping this from being a straight up 5.0. And yet…I still might buy another. I clearly have a problem with delectable, high priced Irish Whiskeys. Someone stop me.