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).
English whisky continues to gather momentum, and in Bristol, Circumstance Distillery is emerging as one of its more intriguing voices. Still relatively young, the category has moved beyond curiosity status, with a growing number of producers exploring what English conditions, and sensibilities, can bring to the spirit. For the curious, English whisky must comply with…
Loch Lomond Whiskies has unveiled two limited-edition single malts to mark the 154th staging of The Open at Royal Birkdale. The bottlings continue the distillery’s long-running partnership with the championship, now in its ninth year, and promise another intriguing study in cask finishing, with Tawny Port and Argentinian Malbec both bringing distinct layers of fruit…
Islay distillery Ardbeg is marking this year’s Ardbeg Day with a limited-edition whisky that draws an intriguing line between the rugged coast of Islay and the sunlit sweetness of Sicily. The new Ardbeg Dolce arrives as the distillery’s 2026 festival bottling, combining spirit matured in Marsala dolce casks with classic bourbon cask Ardbeg to create…
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).
Bristol-based Circumstance Distillery rides English whisky wave with uncommon core range
English whisky continues to gather momentum, and in Bristol, Circumstance Distillery is emerging as one of its more intriguing voices. Still relatively young, the category has moved beyond curiosity status, with a growing number of producers exploring what English conditions, and sensibilities, can bring to the spirit. For the curious, English whisky must comply with…
Loch Lomond Whiskies marks The 154th Open with Tawny Port and Malbec-finished single malts
Loch Lomond Whiskies has unveiled two limited-edition single malts to mark the 154th staging of The Open at Royal Birkdale. The bottlings continue the distillery’s long-running partnership with the championship, now in its ninth year, and promise another intriguing study in cask finishing, with Tawny Port and Argentinian Malbec both bringing distinct layers of fruit…
Limited edition Ardbeg Dolce whisky brings Marsala sweetness to Islay peat for Ardbeg Day 2026
Islay distillery Ardbeg is marking this year’s Ardbeg Day with a limited-edition whisky that draws an intriguing line between the rugged coast of Islay and the sunlit sweetness of Sicily. The new Ardbeg Dolce arrives as the distillery’s 2026 festival bottling, combining spirit matured in Marsala dolce casks with classic bourbon cask Ardbeg to create…
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