Redbreast has introduced a few months ago a new, permanent expression to its decorated Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey family; Redbreast Lustau Edition. Finished in hand selected, first-fill sherry butts that are seasoned with Oloroso sherry from the prestigious Bodegas Lustau in Jerez, Spain, this release celebrates the iconic sherry influence found throughout the Redbreast range.
Matured initially in a combination of exceptional ex-Bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks, Redbreast Lustau Edition has been wholly finished for one year in prized sherry butts from Bodegas Lustau in Jerez.
I am quite the fan of the redbreast line having reviewed and loved both the 12, 12 CS and 15 yo editions. I had quite high expectation from this one. Will it live up to those high expectations? Let’s see…
Redbreast Lustau Edition, 46 % abv, €69
Nose : Lovely sweet aromas, Malty cereal, some sultana and prunes, a hint of dried dates, and figs, spices, some creme catealan, marzipan and baking spices, very fragrant, but not overly sherried. this is very light sherry influence, which is nice balance wise.
Palate: great mouth-feel ( I dread the word : smooth, so no. not smooth!) , Elegant, and hedonistically sweet, and lively. There’s fruit, and lovely creaminess, it’s certainly a good example of irish pot still goodness, with a twist. Rich creamy sherry, orange peel, ginger powder that adds a zing side to it, a nice dullup of wood spice, and yummy sandalwood. Nuts, sultanas, and more cinnamon, with a lingering sweet creamy note. Very elegant stuff.
Finish: candied ginger, baking spices, wood and lovely sweet/sour sherry, getting drier. Medium-Long.
Conclusion: This is a great whisky, showing how good NAS whiskies should be like. It’s rather complex, but the sherry is very restrained, not overpoweing the lovely single pot still notes, yet adding a nice fruity/sweet dimension to the package. Really easy drinking, and really more-ish. You’ll find yourself pouring a dram, and another one, and yet another one… it’s quite addictive. Good work there on behalf of Midleton distillery. Not sure it it’s ‘Better’ than the 12 or the 12 CS, but it’s damn good. This would make an ideal XMAS present for a whisky lover.
Score: 89/100
Available on the official Jameson store