Reviewing a sample which I hate doing and worse yet a 1 oz sample but I wanted notes on this one as I'll be deciding on a purchase based on this.
Nose - this is the most grapefruity grapefruit ever. Dry very fruit forward without sugar notes. You get notes of oak, light and sweet, with vanilla and then a bit of old grain whisky comes through.With time some dark fruits start to creep in and some tropical fruit notes as well.
Taste - Up front it's sweet and bold, then grain whisky with RICH creamy vanilla, then turns to fruits (mango, pears, and all kinds of topical notes with a touch of grapefruit bitter), and then finishes with lightly toasted oaks and malts. This whisky seems to change 3 or 4 times while in my mouth, with transition after transition.
I can't dare myself to add water to this as it drinks just perfectly as it. Creamy and just viscous enough. Alcohol waits to hit and even then it's gentle and inviting.
So the elephant in the room is if I'd buy a bottle at say 550 which I know I can get it for. And....I think I'm passing. At 400, I'm getting one for sure. less than that and I'd have 2. It's such a good whisky but I don't think it does anything so well that I'm compelled to rush out and get one. But I still really want a bottle. If Irish is your jam, this is a must. If you're like me and a bit more agnostic towards Irish, if you find a deal buy, but otherwise try before you buy.
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This is one of those bottles I will buy 1 of at retail for sure if I run into it, but I’m not looking/calling around for a bottle.
I thank Barry is ok too...but way less than this. it is good 100 dollar whisky.
@dhsilv2 Dair Ghaelach (Irish Oak in English) is in my top five - is sharper and deeper than the 27 Redbreast. Depends on the mood/company perhaps. ( Teeling 24 year old, Green Spot Chateau Léoville Barton, Midleton Barry Crockett are in that top 5). If you have not tried Barry Crockett - give it a go, given your comments I think you will like it. Met Barry and he kindly signed a bottle for me.
@arcarey I'd love to do more of it, but I don't think this comes close to say Dair Ghalic the recent release. And to be honest I wasn't sure it was better than the 21 besides the CS vs non. It's really really good and maybe even pretty great, but it's not a world changer. And I'm not the only one to go there with this one. 400 dollar whisky all day, 450 if you love the style. 500 and you have to be a fanboy. 560 is the going rate I see now sadly.
Try more than a sample and you will be convinced. Irish is the original and recent releases are returning it to being best.
@Anthology great buy at that price for sure.
@PBMichiganWolverine well this is now part of their core. So its not a one off LE.
@dhsilv2 4+stars is high praise coming from you, so this must be good! Looking forward to tasting this. I picked one up at local Total Wine for $423 ($470 with 10% discount), which I thought was decent price for a 27yr cask strength Irish...from Redbreast nonetheless.
@PBMichiganWolverine Ah, I found the dream cask line! Looks like they have done a few limited releases in the low 30-years. I wouldn't be surprised if some version of the dream cask became a new permanent addition in a few years as the stock increases.
@ContemplativeFox I could’ve sworn I saw a new oldest one..30-something
@PBMichiganWolverine I knew this was new, but I didn't know that RedBreast was playing that game with the oldest version. Pretty disappointing.
At that price range, it’s a hard pass. Every year this guys come up with a new “oldest” version.