Redbreast, Ireland’s most awarded single pot still whiskey, has announced a new permanent addition to the Redbreast family. Crafted by Master Blender David McCabe and Master Blender Emeritus Billy Leighton, the Redbreast 18 Year Old offers an enticing twist on the distillery’s classic whiskey style.
Setting it apart from its cellar mates is the interplay of different cask types, including oloroso sherry butts, ex-bourbon barrels, and the rarely seen addition of Cream Sherry casks from the Antonio Páez Lobato cooperage.
Setting it apart from its cellar mates is the interplay of different cask types, including oloroso sherry butts, ex-bourbon barrels, and Cream Sherry casks…
The introduction of cream sherry casks is a first for the Midleton distillery brand, adding a syrupy sweetness and a new layer to the whiskey’s traditional character.
The whiskey was initially aged in bourbon casks for 5 – 6 years, before transferring to the cream sherry barrels for the remainder of the maturation.
A limited portion has also been aged in ruby port casks, adding depth with flavours of toasted oak, autumnal fruits, and a hint of nuttiness.
“This new addition to the Redbreast core range beautifully bridges the gap between our older and younger offerings,” says McCabe. “By incorporating the cream sherry casks, we’ve created a whiskey that boasts a rich profile of dark chocolate, blackcurrants, and hazelnuts, while still staying true to our Redbreast roots.”
Redbreast 18-Year-Old Whiskey tasting notes
Crafted from malted and unmalted barley and triple distilled in traditional copper pot stills, this new expression reflects the cask combination of ex-bourbon, oloroso sherry, cream sherry and ruby port influences.
Tasting notes speak of berry fruits on the nose, think blackcurrants and raspberries, with indulgent undertones of chocolate and toasted almonds.
On the palate, rich oak tannins are balanced by the sweetness of grapes and autumnal fruits, and the complexity of freshly peeled ginger and liquorice. The influence of wine-seasoned oak is said to offer layers of dark berries, dried fruits, and orange peel, with a luxurious dark chocolate presence.
The finish is rich and long-lasting, with a blend of pot still spices, fruit, and oak.
Bottled at 46% ABV, Redbreast 18 Year Old retails for €225 ($249).
Redbreast Irish Whiskey has looked to the fortified wine traditions of southern Spain, for the fifth release in its Iberian Series, the Moscatel Wine Cask Edition. For more than a century, Redbreast has been closely associated with the single pot still tradition, a style that defines much of Irish whiskey’s historic identity. Produced at Midleton…
Actor Karen Gillan has been unveiled as The Muse for Scotch whiskymaker Compass Box, gracing the label art for the company’s upcoming 2026 Hedonism release. A fan favourite in blockbuster franchises such as Doctor Who (Amy Pond), Guardians of the Galaxy (Nebula) and Jumanji (Ruby Roundhouse), Gillan has become one of Scotland’s most recognisable international…
Brother’s Bond Bourbon has launched in the UK, bringing its premium four-grain American whiskey portfolio to British shelves for the first time. Founded in 2020, the celebrity-fuelled brand has been making waves Stateside with accessible yet layered bourbon and rye, distinguished by hands-on blending, careful barrel selection, and a commitment to regenerative agriculture. Co-founders Ian…
The Luxe Review 
Redbreast, Ireland’s most awarded single pot still whiskey, has announced a new permanent addition to the Redbreast family. Crafted by Master Blender David McCabe and Master Blender Emeritus Billy Leighton, the Redbreast 18 Year Old offers an enticing twist on the distillery’s classic whiskey style.
Setting it apart from its cellar mates is the interplay of different cask types, including oloroso sherry butts, ex-bourbon barrels, and the rarely seen addition of Cream Sherry casks from the Antonio Páez Lobato cooperage.
The introduction of cream sherry casks is a first for the Midleton distillery brand, adding a syrupy sweetness and a new layer to the whiskey’s traditional character.
The whiskey was initially aged in bourbon casks for 5 – 6 years, before transferring to the cream sherry barrels for the remainder of the maturation.
A limited portion has also been aged in ruby port casks, adding depth with flavours of toasted oak, autumnal fruits, and a hint of nuttiness.
“This new addition to the Redbreast core range beautifully bridges the gap between our older and younger offerings,” says McCabe. “By incorporating the cream sherry casks, we’ve created a whiskey that boasts a rich profile of dark chocolate, blackcurrants, and hazelnuts, while still staying true to our Redbreast roots.”
Redbreast 18-Year-Old Whiskey tasting notes
Crafted from malted and unmalted barley and triple distilled in traditional copper pot stills, this new expression reflects the cask combination of ex-bourbon, oloroso sherry, cream sherry and ruby port influences.
Tasting notes speak of berry fruits on the nose, think blackcurrants and raspberries, with indulgent undertones of chocolate and toasted almonds.
On the palate, rich oak tannins are balanced by the sweetness of grapes and autumnal fruits, and the complexity of freshly peeled ginger and liquorice. The influence of wine-seasoned oak is said to offer layers of dark berries, dried fruits, and orange peel, with a luxurious dark chocolate presence.
The finish is rich and long-lasting, with a blend of pot still spices, fruit, and oak.
Bottled at 46% ABV, Redbreast 18 Year Old retails for €225 ($249).
Redbreast Irish Whiskey Moscatel Wine Cask Edition adds Mediterranean influence to Iberian Series
Redbreast Irish Whiskey has looked to the fortified wine traditions of southern Spain, for the fifth release in its Iberian Series, the Moscatel Wine Cask Edition. For more than a century, Redbreast has been closely associated with the single pot still tradition, a style that defines much of Irish whiskey’s historic identity. Produced at Midleton…
Karen Gillan fronts Compass Box Hedonism 2026 limited edition Scotch whisky
Actor Karen Gillan has been unveiled as The Muse for Scotch whiskymaker Compass Box, gracing the label art for the company’s upcoming 2026 Hedonism release. A fan favourite in blockbuster franchises such as Doctor Who (Amy Pond), Guardians of the Galaxy (Nebula) and Jumanji (Ruby Roundhouse), Gillan has become one of Scotland’s most recognisable international…
Celebrity-founded Brother’s Bond Bourbon makes UK debut with starry four-grain whiskey range
Brother’s Bond Bourbon has launched in the UK, bringing its premium four-grain American whiskey portfolio to British shelves for the first time. Founded in 2020, the celebrity-fuelled brand has been making waves Stateside with accessible yet layered bourbon and rye, distinguished by hands-on blending, careful barrel selection, and a commitment to regenerative agriculture. Co-founders Ian…
Share this: