This whiskey ages in barrels from an Italian winery and emerges drunk on cherries, berries, and oak—all that makes wine great, in whiskey form. Particularly the 21 has a reputation as one of the best Irish Whiskies that money can buy. Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. The Meta-Critic score is a little low for this one, in my view. I'm not all that in love with Irish whiskey in general, but I try to keep a bottle or two on hand for guests. Feckin, Tullamore, Wild Geese, Bushmills, Writers Tears, Jameson, Redbreast, Green Spot, Paddy, Powers Gold Label/Johns Lane, and many more. Redbreast is a brand of single pot still Irish Whiskey produced by Irish Distillers.It was originally produced by Gilbey's, a Dublin spirits merchant using distillate sourced from Jameson's Bow Street Distillery. This bar had Woodford Reserve, Glenfiddich 12 Year Old, and even Lagavulin 16 Year Old, among others. Green Spot and Redbreast are the only two long-standing pure pot still whiskies to have remained in (somewhat) continuous production. It’s still light, but seriously fruity. With the explosion of new Irish whiskey brands, you have more options than ever—at the liquor store and your favorite American Irish bar and Father O’McPaddy’s Extremely Authentic Irish Pub (all seven locations in the quad-state area!). This has the brand's trademark spiciness with sweeter notes of honey, vanilla and berries. Sip slowly and savor. Similar fruits as the nose, getting even more of plums and raisins. Required fields are marked *. Redbreast 12 Year Old. Trivia for your new friends at the St. Patrick’s day bar: Redbreast first started out in the early 20th century as extra-aged Jameson’s. Your email address will not be published. Is it a plant?Do you guys even know?Anyway, here’s to a tastier—and more Irish!—St. Using the signature Powers pot still distillate, it has been matured mainly in American bourbon barrels with the subtle inclusion of whiskey matured in Spanish Oloroso sherry casks. Powers Gold Label is the best-selling Irish whiskey in its native Ireland. They had a decent whiskey selection, considering most bars in the area end their variety at Jack and Jameson. The Irish have been making whiskey for centuries. Originally called pure pot still, it reflects a style of Irish whisky made from a mixed mash of malted and unmalted barley distilled in a single pot still. 92 • Powers Three Swallow Release Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey 40% (Ireland) $48.00. Home to several other single pot still Irish whiskeys, Midleton Distillery also produces Jameson and Tullamore Dew. Now, I’m not usually a massive fan of Irish whiskey but had the chance to try two of the Redbreast range recently, including the 21. Baking spices come through, cinnamon and cloves in particular. Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength batch1/12 – 97 points. Chief among these are “green” fruit notes (aka tropical fruits), some additional spice (pepper in particular), and a thicker or “stickier” texture. FAQ’s About Irish Whiskey I'm so excited for you to have landed on our Redbreast exclusive giveaway “Dine Like a Robin” culinary kit for U.S. consumers. Men's Health participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Among some Irish whisky drinkers that I know, the entry-level Powers Gold is generally considered to be of higher quality than most other common blends (i.e., Bushmills, Tullamore Dew, etc.). Jameson is, of course, distilled there, along with the majority of name-brand Irish whiskeys – Paddy, Powers, Redbreast, Green Spot, Yellow Spot, and more. Bushmills 10-year ($55) single malt is just as tasty but richer, having spent 10 years in American bourbon casks. The highest score I’ve seen for this whisky comes from Jim Murray. SCORE: 88 This does not carry an age s There is no age statement, but it is believed that the barrels used for this release are mainly in the 7-9 year old range. Compared to either of those whiskeys, Redbreast 12 year is smoother but also more complex. Powers Signature Release Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey 46% (Ireland) $50.00. Here is what I find in the glass: Colour: A touch darker than Powers Signature Release, with a bit more golden caramel. Chocolate. This release takes the complex and potent spirit and ages it for one additional year in oloroso sherry butts. Indeed, the pure pot still style almost died out during the massive Irish consolidation of the 1970-80s. Patrick’s Day. (It’s not so easy to find though—the popularity of Irish whiskey means a general shortage could soon be setting in. Redbreast 12 years Cask Strength is nothing more than the full, un-cut version of the Redbreast 12 and that right there is fantastic. Some whiskies seem “young” and this is one of them. If you don’t like Redbreast, you don’t like whiskey. With the explosion of new bottlings, you now have more options than ever. Redbreast 12 Year Old – 89 points. Jameson Redbreast 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey. There’s a rich, caramel sweetness underlying this double-aged whiskey. Finish: Medium short. This is made from a robust style of single pot still spirit and predominantly matured in refill ex-bourbon barrels. Matt It was eventually out-competed by low cost blended whiskies (where pot still malt whisky was combined with much cheaper grain whisky produced in continuous column stills). Redbreast is distilled at the Midleton Distillery using copper pot stills and aged in Oloroso sherry casks. Again, I recommend water here. But before we embark on this journey through the Emerald Isle to find the best Irish whiskey that will hopefully not again involve the term “Emerald Isle,” we leave you with this toast, which was given in a bar in Chicago once.... May the road rise up to meet you And the Shamrock grow so… green?Hey, what’s a shamrock? But people aren’t just drinking whiskey for “approachability.” Sales of premium Irish brands are rising, as well. I would personally put this on par with Writer’s Tears (both of which get an 8.4 from me). It is a 'Single Pot Still' Irish whiskey, meaning that it is made from a mash of malted and unmalted barley. A smaller proportion of first fill bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks were also used to help add additional character. Nose: Caramel and vanilla up front. Slainte. Pick up A Man, A Pan, A, You can cook pasta in a pan. I gather the modern term “single pot still” was only introduced to overcome objections from the U.S. Tax and Trade Bureau on the use of the term “pure” (although it does accurately reflect a single distillery designation, consistent with single malt whisky). In the press release, they note that the whiskey is aged in ex-bourbon barrels with a blend of aged whiskey from Spanish Oloroso sherry casks (a very common practice in scotch whisky aging). Like Jameson, it is blended whiskey, some combination of pure pot-still whiskey with column-still grain whiskey (allegedly 70% pure pot still to 30% grain). ($35) is in many ways a typical Irish whiskey. The Powers Signature is a bit sweeter in its initial approach too. 6 of 12. Unfortunately, a fair amount of organic solvent off notes, contributing to the youngish sensation. The field of Irish whiskeys is as diverse as bourbon—and, arguably, Scotch. Tullamore D.E.W. Powers Signature Release 12 ($47), is a great whiskey, too—rich from being aged in bourbon and sherry casks—but the original should suit your needs fine. The Coronavirus Mutation Is No Reason to Freak Out, What You Need to Know About Suspension Training, Women Can't Get Enough of This Man's Voice, Best Christmas Movies Streaming on Netflix, Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition Irish Whiskey, Redbreast Lustau Edition Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, Knappogue Castle 12 Year Old Marsala Cask Single Malt Irish Whiskey, The Tyrconnell 16-year-old Oloroso & Moscatel Cask Finish Single Malt Irish Whiskey, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Note there are relatively few reviews of this whisky so far. For the last few years, one of the most anticipated events in, Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy is a premium blend of single pot still. Redbreast is one of the many whiskeys produced at New Midleton Distillery. For me, young has always meant intense at first, and a little oily. Matured in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, the distinctive Redbreast sherry style is a joy to behold in each and every bottle. As explained on my source of whisky flavour page, there are a lot of advantages to using malted barley. There are sweet and spicy ones, smoky ones and light ones, thin ones and “big” one—which is great news because St. Patrick’s Day drinking is as refined an experience as you want it to be. These are the whiskeys you can involve yourself with, both the ones you’ve heard of and the more elevated expressions of those same whiskeys (in price and taste.). This Sherry-finished Irish whiskey has a vanilla and honey fragrance, with hints of white flowers and fresh basil. Which makes it work as a shot. Until then, whiskey was delivered in casks to pubs. Irish whiskeys such as Bushmills, Redbreast, Powers, Green Spot, etc. A proud representative of the signature Redbreast sherry style, Redbreast 21 Year is without a doubt the best Irish whiskey around. Using the touch capabilities of a phone or tablet or PC, how about a control that will accept input from a stylus or pen or fingernail? Trivia for your new friends at the St. Patrick’s day bar: D.E.W.? You'd think this would have it taste familiar, but where Redbreast 12 is wonderfully complex and smooth … I would happily pick it up at the going rate. All the better if I enjoy it (Redbreast 12). While this tax was eventually rescinded, the style became popular in the early 19th century and eventually became the dominant Irish whisky form. Here is how it compares to other whiskies in my Meta-Critic database: Bushmills Original Blended: 7.65 ± 0.47 on 15 reviews ($$) Green Spot: 8.49 ± 0.38 on 16 reviews ($$$$) Jameson: 7.82 ± 0.51 on 19 reviews ($$) Jameson Select Reserve (Black Barrel): 8.37 ± 0.38 on 17 reviews ($$) Kilbeggan Irish Reserve Malt: 7.98 ± 0.52 on 6 reviews ($$) Powers 12yo John’s Lane: 8.82 ± 0.39 on 14 reviews ($$$$) Powers 12yo Reserve: 8.63 ± 0.25 on 6 reviews ($$$) Powers Gold Label: 7.99 ± 0.52 on 11 reviews ($$) Powers Signature Release: 8.22 ± 0.53 on 4 reviews ($$$) Redbreast 12yo: 8.75 ± 0.41 on 21 reviews ($$$) Tullamore Dew Blended: 7.81 ± 0.38 on 17 reviews ($$) Tullamore Dew Blended 12yo: 7.97 ± 0.33 on 10 reviews ($$$) Writers Tears Pot Still Irish Whiskey: 8.49 ± 0.34 on 16 reviews ($$). ... Red Breast. Three-word review: Wonderfully, gorgeously complex. Before dinner, a few of us went to the bar and ordered drinks. We'll be drinking on some Red Breast 12 Year, Green Spot and Powers Signature. Nose: Honey and a bit of vanilla lead off, followed by typical pear and apple notes, along with plum and green banana, with a hint of raisins. It retails slightly cheaper than Jameson in the US, at $16 a bottle. Try it in an old-fashioned. Irish single malts like Tyrconnell and Knappogue Castle offer whiskeys that have been finished in sherry casks – or other – wine casks. Try it in a Manhattan or on the rocks. The addition of unmalted barley in the mix was essentially a tax dodge – to help finance the empire (especially during the Napoleonic wars), England applied a heavy tax on malted barley used in Scottish and Irish whisky production. It stands for Daniel Edmund Williams. The nose is also a bit shy and closed. Relatively low scores were given by Ralfy and Serge of Whisky Fun. The Powers Signature is a bit sweeter in its initial approach too. Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength batch1/11– 96 points. Funny thing is, a lot of the people who drink Jameson don’t think of it as an Irish whiskey. Green Spot – 94.5 points One of the best value single pot still whiskeys on the market. It’s just “Jameson.” A light, sweet, smooth, approachable introduction to the category. Tried many different Irish whiskeys over the last 25 years. Three-word review: Luscious—no, decadent. Definitely recommend you add a little water to open up the nose. It’s basically taking something that is already phenomenal and turning it up 11.The only way it could possibly get better is if it was the ungodly amazing RB21 being delivered at CS, but let’s not greedy. Hello! And thus was born the pure pot still style, out of economic necessity. have emerged with their unique flavors. A power signature was a distinctive energy emission unique to technologies of individual space-faring species. Jameson is the pale ale of whiskeys—easy-drinking and laid-back—and takes on a bright, grassy flavor after finishing in IPA barrels. Scottish. For a long time, it was made out of Midleton’s distillery (which also makes Powers, Jameson, Paddy, Redbreast, Green Spot, and Yellow Spot), but Tullamore now has its own distillery right in the town of Tullamore. Powers Gold Label is my go too Whiskey, and Red Breast 12 year old for best. A fair amount of tongue tingle after you swallow (more than I would like). I haven’t had it yet, but I thought I would try the next bottle up in the series – the single pot still Powers Signature Release. This resource is based on a scientific meta-analysis of expert whisky reviews. Like the 12, the Redbreast 15 is a single pot still whiskey which means it uses both malted and unmalted barley in it’s mash. Powers Signature Release – 91 points. This process is unique to Ireland and gives Irish whiskey that signature spicy, coppery, sweet, malty and rich pot still character that … . Powers Signature Release 12 ($47), is a great whiskey, too—rich from being aged in bourbon and sherry casks—but the original should suit your needs fine. Powers’ John’s Lane Distillery was renowned for its Pot Still whiskeys Bursting with flavour and character and made famous by one of Ireland’s most popular brands, Powers Gold Label. A bit of astringency shows up over time, along with some oakiness. Bushmills ($32) has been around in some form or another since 1608, and has earned the right to distill its whiskey in a unique way for Irish whiskey (Dave Broom’s fantastic The World Atlas of Whiskey can tell you all you need to know about the heads and pulls and feints involved), but the result is a booze that’s lighter and more delicate than a lot of Irish whiskeys. I'm Robin Redbreast, proud to sit on the label of Ireland's most beloved Single Pot Still Whiskey. My favourite cheap end whiskey is Paddy, and top end is Powers Johns Lane. In the 1980s, the brand was purchased by Irish Distillers, the producer of Jameson Irish whiskey.It is the largest selling single pot still Irish whiskey in the world. In 1887, after overseeing renovations to the Tullamore distillery, Williams slapped his monogram on the whiskey and came up with the slogan “Give every man his D.E.W.” Come on, Danny Boy! Redbreast 15 & 21 Reviews Hi everyone, Redbreast is known to be THE single pot still whiskey to try. Tullamore’s 14-Year Single Malt ($80) is a terrific upgrade from the original. Trivia for your new friends at the St. Patrick’s day bar: Bushmills' water source (which is a big deal to whiskey nerds) is the picturesque lake right next to the main distillery building. 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