This is one of the few Irish whiskies I've reviewed, and among the few I've tried. For some reason, I've never focused on the category -- perhaps because they don't make many peated or smoky ones. Redbreast 12 has a very promising start: aromas of mint chocolate, cream, malt, cherry, and maybe a hint of sherry. It's pleasant, but there's a bit of a young spirit whiff to it, which is surprising considering the low ABV and its age. The palate hits that minty, milk chocolate again, with some mild honey, citrus, and a slight metallic tang. The finish is where this goes off the rails somewhat. The beginning is all good -- pepper, vanilla, cream, maybe even chocolate milkshake -- but for some reason it gets more and more bitter as time passes. The bitterness lasts a long time. After two sips, I stood there waiting for it to fade, eventually resorting to drinking some water, and silently ticking down the rating in my mind. Thanks to MMMNRice for the sample!