Redbreast Kentucky Oak Edition
The Distillery
Hailing from the New Midleton Distillery in County Cork, Redbreast requires no introduction for Irish whiskey aficionados. Redbreast exclusively produces single pot still whiskeys, including a 12 year, a 12-year cask strength (reviewed here), a 15 year (reviewed here), a Lustau finish (reviewed here), a PX cask finish (reviewed here), a 21 year, an ultra-rare 27 year, and other special releases.
The Whiskey
The Redbreast Kentucky Oak Edition is a non-age statement variety of Redbreast that is initially matured in bourbon and oloroso sherry casks before being finished in American Oak casks from the Taylor Family Elk Cave Farm in Kentucky. As a result, we detect vanilla and almond notes often found in bourbon (which by law must be aged in virgin American oak casks), as well as some very pleasant spicy apples and candied walnuts. This is a really tasty single pot still whiskey, which at 101 proof is a little hotter than most of the Redbreast lineup but still retains the creamy goodness that is so evident throughout the brand.
ABV: 50.5%
Retail Price: $100 (if you can find it)
The Verdict
Redbreast Kentucky Oak Edition: 94 POINTS. Make it a double.
