Reverend357
Redbreast 21 Year
Single Pot Still — Ireland
Reviewed
December 11, 2023 (edited December 15, 2023)
Back to Ireland. I seem to develop quite a bit of an attachment to that green island, be it in whisky, pipes or tobacco (looking at you Peterson).
I knew I liked the Redbreast 12, I have a bottle of the 12 CS, but this....dayum. And for a 21 year old 150€ is not too bad honestly.
On the nose you get fresh, crisp cereals, some orange zest, the expected vanilla and oak notes, and also some cinnamon. The smell reminds me of a bread that is currently in the oven....not quite finished baking, but somewhere in the middle, and probably still gooey on the inside. Perfect to put honey on.
The taste is amazing. Stewed fruits with a hint of honey and spices, that typical irish barley foundation, and shortbread. Sweet, but not too sweet, just enough spice to make it pleasant, and that long, warming aftertaste after you swallow make this something very special.
Speaking of the aftertaste, it is a sweet, slightly spicy, warming fruit cake. I think I taste some dates in here, but I am a bit torn about that. Could be dates, could be generic fruity stuff. Whatever it is, it stays with you for quite a bit.
This one is a winner folks.
160.0
EUR
per
Bottle
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@Richard-Davenport The yellow is the only spot I have actually tried so far, in this calendar. I have a bottle of the Green Spot at home that I have yet to open, and there is a sample of the Green Spot Chateau Montelena in here somewhere too. I still do in general prefer peaty Islay scotches over Irish, but these days I'd say I like Irish more than I like most highland/speysides
@Reverend357 it's funny--I first had Redbreast 12 over 20 years ago, and didn't care for it then. But my tastes have changed--I love it now, and am increasingly in the mood for Irish whiskey. RE the Spots, I have yet to try the yellow, and want to fill that gap.
@Richard-Davenport so far every Readbreast I tried was amazing, but the 21 really is on top (granted, I have only tried the 12 and 12 Cask Strength so far). I'd honestly even put the Redbreasts over the Spots, if you are in the mood for Irish, can't go wrong with any of them.
@Reverend357 Nice review. Jealous! I recently posted a tasting of four Redbreasts, but it didn't include the 21...I'm going to have to try this one.