Review #123 Red Breast Small Batch Cask Strength: Irish

Score: 8.6 / 10

Distillery: Jameson Bow Street Distillery

Type: Single Pot Still Whiskey

If you have not seen or heard about this it is a recent limited expression of four new batches from red breast. That's right you Irish Whisky nuts! Much more Red Breast is heading your way in the near future. This is bottled 2 years later than the normal 12 yr, but is still going to be fruity and a "big old scoooop of vanilla ice cream"

I have heard the rumors that Middleton has been looking to expand. I think this is a pretty good guess that that is going to happen in the near future. Relax Middleton, we get it. You completely own Irish Whisky. JK get yourself some Middelton!

Whiskey Review:

Nose: For some reason Redbreast cask strength always reminds me of hard candy (Jolly Ranchers) on the nose and I get that here too - sugary fruit is evident upfront. A potent menthol cherry intermingles with black cherry and seared wood. Looking deeper I find orange with a persistent sherry.

Palate: Cascading vanilla alongside dried fruit with a touch of honey envelope the palate and instantly start ramping up spices of crackling black pepper and cinnamon. The mouthfeel begins as silky smooth and evolves into a carbonated spiciness. More cherry and black cherry pop up between spicy notes.

Finish: Very tannic and lasting. Oak, dried fruit, berries (cranberries here) and anise remain with a peppery spice that lingers.

Score: 8.6

Scale:

S+ Sensational - The Pinnacle (9.5+)

A - AXEceptional (astounding) (9-9.5)

B - bravo (step aBove average) (8-8.9)

C - competent (7-7.9)

D - disappointing (6-6.9)

F - flush it down the toilet (fail) (5.9 below)

Availability? Rare. These pop up and tend to be overpriced by many retailers. Be on the lookout, but be careful before you purchase this one. I actually like this less than the normal 12yr cask strength, but that could just be me.