ContemplativeFox
Redbreast 21 Year
Single Pot Still — Ireland
Reviewed
June 28, 2020 (edited December 25, 2020)
There is some spice mixed with delicious malty orange peel and a bit of apple in a way that competes with Bushmill's 21. This is so, so much better than Redbreast 15. The richness and finish are superb. It really competes with Springbank 10 side-by-side, albeit in a different dimension. It might edge out Springbank 10, but barely so. There are so many flavors in here that it makes a dramatic statement. Apple and pear. A bit of spice that is not limited to cinnamon. Some malty grain plays a prominent role. Orange, of course. Macallan meets Bushmill's: this is a terrific experience.
Without a doubt, this beats Macallan Rare Cask.
It's smokey with some nice spice, honey, and orange peel. It's quite rich and full for an Irish whiskey. There's kind of that off note that haunts most Irish whiskeys. It's very good, bit not excellent. Certainly, it isn't worth the price. There's definitely some hay, which gives it a bit of a rye flavor. There's some tangerine and cherry here that are nice but the off backing is still a problem. The balance is adequate, but it's also a bit muddled.
200.0
USD
per
Bottle
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I need more friends like that @Jan-Case :)
@ContemplativeFox yeah I agree. Even though the price for the 21y here in Europe isn’t not justified because it is just so very good, it is a bid too much for me. But I also have an Irish friend that lives here in Berlin who I meet up with every once in a while. And he has some very nice Irish whiskeys that he wants to share. One particular has been the Mano a Lamh, which is one of the best whisk(e)ys I ever had. https://distiller.com/spirits/redbreast-mano-a-lamh So if I need my fix for pot still I pay him an extra visit ;)
My recollection is that I found the 15 (or maybe the Lustau?) to be the best VFM @Jan-Case :) I'm one of those few people who isn't totally sold on the 12 and the CS didn't sway me a whole lot (though I got the new version). At the other end, the 21 is way too expensive. And now they even have a 27!!
I had this one before and liked it a lot. But I also liked the 12y regular one. I just got a bottle of the 15y to settle in the middle both price- and enjoyment-wise.