Redbreast 12 Year Old

This dram intrigues me, it is deep and complex and very enjoyable.

The nose is rich and full, with sponge cake vanilla, some caramel and marzipan, balanced with nuts and fruit notes in the citrus peel area.

The palate is also full, oily and creamy. With notes of vanilla, dried fruits and sherry.

Finish is still rather oily and creamy with the spice, sponge cake, nuts and citrus.
A very full and round experience, definitely one of my favorites on the shelf.

15th January 2019

This is one of my all time favourites. Being a bourbon drinker that says a lot. At the price point it's hard to beat.

29th December 2018

I first drank Redbreast as an 18-year old in a pub in Dublin more than 50 years ago. I think that I was attracted by the name and label. In the intervening years I have become a fan of the milder west coast Scottish malts, a current favourite being Talisker Skye. Revisiting Redbreast, it now appears to me to be a liquer whiskey, a sipping whiskey, with a dominant nose of toffee and only one flavour. It is, for me, an after-dinner drink or a whiskey to celebrate a successful day’s field sport at dusk.

20th December 2018

I'm a big bourbon guy and thought no way a mild little 80 proof Irish whiskey can do anything for me. I was wrong! While this is mild, it has so much delicious flavor I keep pouring more. No doubt this will be a go to for some time to come.

16th September 2018

If Willy Wonka made whiskey, he'd make Redbreast. Its sumptuous, luxurious, mouth watering heaven. The grain and spice are there for balance, and it lingers...awaiting your next sip. Its the only spirit i enjoy swishing around in my mouth coating every taste bud.

2nd September 2018

Classic single pot still style... thick, rich and delicious. Mass produced, but this is the baseline for a good solid drinkable and delicious Irish whiskey! Given the price point, this is a reasonable value, and given that it is one of the last of these styles standing it deserves 5 stars.

25th August 2018

Unbelievable! For the price, here in Romania, it's a masterpiece!

17th August 2018

I never really cared for Irish whiskey, prior to buying a bottle of Redbreast 12. I've always felt Irish whiskey to be a bit light in style and not offering anything a I can't get from a ordinary Speyside single malt. However, after buying a bottle of this... everything changed. Redbreast 12 is without a doubt the best whisky I've ever had. It is truly a masterpiece!
And for about 35 pounds, here in Sweden, it's an absolute bargain.

29th April 2018

Very pleasant nose, subtle hints of honey and molasses, sweet and subtle. The taste is pleasant and soft in the beginning but is blow away by the peppery prickle that covered my tongue and filled my whole mouth. My mouth watered at first and after swallowing became dry with almost no or a very weak aftertaste. I like this whiskey very much and when I finish my bottle, I’ll be replacing it. This will become a mainstay in my little bar.

20th January 2018

Bought the 12 year old a few months ago. Finally got around opening the bottle. Tasted on three separate evenings over the last two weeks. Smooth and very drinkable, but tastes too much like brandy, prefer a more straighforward whiskey taste.

10th January 2018

Red Breast is a favorite of mine and goes well with a cigar after a meal. I usually enjoy bourbon, but Red Breast has a special complexity without the harsh edge of say a knob creek. It is as others noted, Red Breast is a lot better than the standard Jameson. I have started sampling it in 2007, but by now it has evolved.

17th December 2017

I like this whiskey a whole lot. Smooth and welcoming, the sherry finish is not too potent (thankfully). Complex with a wonderful mouth-feel and finish. I would love to try the other Redbreast maturations; for now I'm happy to sup on this masterful whiskey every holiday season.

11th December 2017

Very smooth. Notes of caramel, honey, berries, and citrus. Redbreast is a master of its craft with the 12 and 15 I love and the 12 cask strength, lustau, and 21 I have yet to try.

8th December 2017

So I found myself in Ireland and went for a little whisky tasting and history at a pub with my brother-in-law. After all the history and such we finally got to the tasting and the Redbrest stood out to us both.

22nd November 2017

Nose - Caramel and Floral Vanilla

Palate - soft, Coconut!, cream, caramel, butterscotch, into gentle wood

This is so smooth you do not need to add water. It’s a beautiful dessert of a drink.

27th October 2017

It's a smooth easy drinking whiskey, and I'm happy to have added it to my collection for the occasional change from scotch. I've always been a regular Jameson guy in the past when I fancy a bit of Irish, but this is much better, however as it's twice the price I'd expect it to be.

23rd June 2017

Very simply one of the best Irish whiskeys available in Canada. My wife and I recently toured Ireland and sampled what we believed to be some of the best Irish whiskies available ( Green Spot, Connemara, Writers Tears, Lockes, Teeling S Grain...). Red Breast rules right up there. Smooth, complex, delightful.

12th June 2017

the best representation of Irish pot still at present ....that and green spot !...... it's changed slightly since the days of Gilbey's being the bonders .However; Jameson's have done it some justice over the years and is a credit to Master blender Billy Leighton who has put his own interpretation on it !.......keep up the good work !....Joxer Catterall.

1st June 2017

smooth as a cheerleaders thigh! better, even, than Middleton master distillers reserve.

17th May 2017

This is smooth & creamy & reminds me of Baileys a bit mmmmm... A bit 1 dimensional IMO if u like ur Scotch. & all that, but you shouldn't be judging Irish Pot Stilled against Single Malt Scotch anyway.
A solid 8/10 in the price bracket.

To say Powers Johns Lane is better is laughable.... Unless u like ur Pot Stilled to taste like a Bourbon that is haha! And it's marketed at the Yankee Tourist to boot, what with all that over the top nostalgia trip stuff on the box & leaflet.

But hey opinion is objective & we all have our own.

13th May 2017

It's a fine Irish Whiskey, but please don't try and describe it like a red wine! that's awfully boorish.

18th April 2017

Superb whiskey, a little burn at start just to make you sit up and take notice, before your hit with an nutty sherry hit on the tongue with a sweeter creamy finish, one of the best examples of Irish whiskey available and good value

14th April 2017

My problem with this whiskey was the hype/expectation.

It is a good whiskey, but i'd rather pay an extra £5 for the Powers Johns Lane any day.

13th April 2017

Scotch and Brandy have been my traditional drinks but picked this one up to celebrate St. Paddy's Day. It comes in with a little burn but quickly mellows down to render a creamy and complex assortment of flavours.

19th March 2017

Smooth, rich and delicious, a great sipping whiskey and a solid example of the widely admired single pot still variety.

18th March 2017

Excellent drink. Very smooth and easy to sip away on. I am mostly a Speyside Scotch drinker but really love a good Irish. And in my mind this is a GREAT drop........

17th March 2017

I am no expert. I've drink the Irish whiskey commonly available in the states all my life and I prefer Irish Whiskeys to others. Mostly I drink Bushmill Black. I actually found this bottle in my local grocers!! Imagine my surprise at finding a highly rated 12 year old Irish Whiskey that I had read about on this website on the shelf of my local grocer!!! I bought it. I paid quite a bit more than the wonderful sale you are currently sponsoring.. but I would do it again. Everything your reviews say about this whiskey is absolutely true. I am so glad I had this opportunity to bring it home. I will be doing so again.

11th March 2017

It's very smooth.

11th March 2017

Middletons little brother.
Buttery creamy and smooth! Love Redbreast!

9th March 2017

Excellent .. Im a Jameson drinker I think it does have a slight brandy taste but a great tasting whiskey

27th February 2017

Incredibly creamy and flavorful. I get what everyone is saying about this...green apple, vanilla, caramel, and amaretto...incredible...I love it!

25th February 2017

Didnt do it for me... Spirit on The nose wich made it hard to enjoy neat.

23rd February 2017

Lush

22nd February 2017

One of the best whiskies I ever had. Very smooth. Love it.

13th February 2017

We have done blind taste tests and have successfully identified Red Breast every time. It is our whiskey of choice and we prefer the 12 year over others. You cannot go wrong adding this as a go to for sipping whiskey.

17th December 2016

Whiskey tasting night with the boys. Hazelnut, varnish, caramel, vanilla, nutty overall. Amaretto on the taste on the initial taste then dissipates quickly. Not a bad thing just apparent. Has the 15 which is rounder and longer lasting but this is very good all the same.

11th December 2016

Ever since I first tried this about 10 years ago, it has been my absolute favorite whiskey. I think it's a great value, and a great drink.

15th October 2016

This is where it's at, folks.

15th October 2016

Had the fish and chips at a local bar in Old Town Temecula, CA. I started off with a dark stout with delicious coffee notes. I mentioned to the bartender that I drink Jameson and asked what he recommended I try, he told me about Redbreast. Once he told me it was aged 12 years I knew I had to try it. I was expecting a bit of a bitter bite but man this whiskey was as smooth as Michael Jackson doing the moon walk. I was so damn impressed I can't wait to buy my own bottle to add to my personal bar at home. This whiskey is a must have!

18th July 2016

I drink mostly Scotch but also have ten Bourbons on the go and quite a few Irishmen. For a twelve year old this is absolutely fabulous. I like my whisk(e)y just a little stronger so prefer the 15 year old which is of course richer and a little more mellow. This twelve though is wonderfully smooth in the mouth with absolutely no burn. There is much more than a hint of sherry, I'd say it's quite strongly sherried but with a little nutmeg and clove, some apple and of course a rich malty body. Fantastic value for money.

21st June 2016

This Irish Whiskey is amazing x 100. I have never had anything that really compares in the price range. Nothing.

It is getting harder to find in the Dallas area too.

17th June 2016

An expensive whiskey is not necessarily a better whiskey. Redbreast 12 yr is not bad per se. It's really okay, but nothing more.

I found that the nose and palate were too alcoholic for a whiskey of 12 years; it felt much younger. The dominant note I got was that of fresh apple peels, both on the nose and palate. But Redbreast 12 yr has an underlying bitterness which, to me, feels "off" in a whiskey.

If I was given a free lifetime supply of Irish whiskey, I'd choose Jameson or Powers Gold Label over Redbreast 12 yr. I find those whiskeys more approchable and better put together.

12th June 2016

I've been drinking scotch for years. I was given a bottle of this a present and haven't looked back. The 21 year old is special, though all of Redbrests Whiskeys are a delight.

17th May 2016

I was not a big whisky fan until I learned the complexity involved in the creation. I've tried numerous top shelf brands and this is without question is one of the best!

27th March 2016

Originally wanted to get Scotch, but since it was st. Patrick's day, I decided to get Irish instead. I'm not sure if I just got one from a bad batch, but just like a guy from previous review, all I could taste and smell in this was brandy. Even though it actually wasn't that bad, I'm disappointed since I don't like brandy.

21st March 2016

Clearly aged in Brandy casks, as the overwhelming nose is brandy as is the initial flavour upon tasting. Not much else is evident. With the addition of an ice cube, the liquid becomes syrupy, a slight citrus flavour and the brandy influence remains.
As a lover of single malt scotch this is not encouraging me to check out more Irish.

16th March 2016

Epic. Simples

15th March 2016

At first taste this is nothing special but on the later part of the second sip and on to the third and forth sips this has developed into an especially subtle and complex flavour.

25th February 2016

Amazing aroma taste is gentle and exciting, like nothing I have rated before.
Gets in your system like soothing cream

18th February 2016

Redbreast 12 has been the standard (more so than even redbreast 15 ans 21) in my opinion for whiskey in general. Smooth, pleasant and lasting.

12th February 2016

One of the lightest smoothest whiskey's I've ever tasted.

18th January 2016

Was given a bottle as a gift last year. Since then have bought several more. The taste and finish are so full, complex and lasting. Love good bourbon and scotch and will pay good money for the best. I'd rather have this than just about anything.

18th January 2016

I have never been impressed with Irish Whiskey, but my experience with it was a cheaper popular variety. I was surprised when a friend insisted I share a bottle of Redbreast with him. The taste was captivating - we drinking it with ice - and two of us wound up nearly finishing the bottle! This is as smooth, tasty, and enjoyable as our premium American whiskies (rye and corn), comparable to a quality Scotch, and for my taste, superior taste to any Canadian spirits. I am excited to discover this new option to quality drinking.

21st December 2015

After a particularly long week at work, I came home to a Christmas gift of Redbreast 12 from my boss. Smooth and relaxing !!

19th December 2015

Smooth as silk! Wonderful on ice. Just sip slowly and enjoy the flavor.

25th November 2015

Simply the best!I use it for my desert. It never fails my palate.

14th November 2015

The first thing I notice upon opening a new bottle is some very attractive menthol notes on the nose: predominantly wintergreen, créme de menthe, peppermint...spearmint plays hide and seek. Additionally, I find nutmeg, and something reminiscent of Andes mints...vanilla, fresh apples, a touch of lemon zest. County fair cotton candy, and honey buttered cinnamon sprinkled fried bread are unique, delightful undertones. Unfortunately, the caramel colouring is noticeable, and is the only thing I don't like about it-- but it's forgivable. Palate (entry) is minty, spicy, creamy, and chocolatey. The middle brings mandarin orange, Thai peanut sauce, and flan. There is a slight salty coastal note, and the unmalted barley is pasty and delicious. The finish is of bread pudding, green grapes, a variety of organic apples with skins in tact...slight hints of Siamese plum sauce, sweet and also vegetal chilies. Once again, I taste the caramel colouring, but this is such a unique and lovely whiskey, it is easily forgivable and really doesn't do much to detract from such a memorable and well rounded pour. Remarkable complexity with a medium body, a very unique and attractive main profile, and plenty of surprises to those who enjoy searching for them. The mouthful is both oily, juicy, jammy, creamy but overall is oaky, sticky, resinous and somewhat drying. I love the copper imarts, and superb balance, and the very unique character of this Irish giant. It is a big whiskey for Irish liquid, but in general is medium bodied-- yet jam packed with flavor. I've only just opened this bottle and no doubt it will further develop and blossom, (I usually don't give a review until I've gone through at least one bottle)-- but this has all the hallmarks of outstanding development over time after opening (bottle breathing, ie; desirable oxydization development) ...I am confident in recommending this one to anyone who's not put off by minty whiskies. I find them to be a rare treat. More herbaceous notes are already developing in my glass: yarrow, catnip tea (a member of the mint family), black liquorice and chicory root. EXTREMELY LONG FINISH!

12th September 2015

I had this idea I could not wait to get this new cask strength finest whiskey in the world.I was able to get a sample taste from a friend in
Texas USA I live in Missouri USA well to my surprise I could not drink it neat.So I am glad I did not buy a bottle as the Redbreast 12 is in my
opinion (as I only sip Irish whiskey neat and NO other)Redbreast 12 is still the finest pot still distilled spirits in the world along with maybe 2 or 3 others.For me its all about the used casks that it or any world class whiskey is finished in and of course it personal taste.Now that I have found your website I can buy direct from you Fedx and UPS come right to my front door.

23rd July 2015

The best whiskey. As it is no longer available in Manitoba , Canada, and my stocks are limited, And being an avid Arsenal fan, I only get to drink it to celebrate an Arsenal victory. A conundrum as I hope they win but it means that my supply is being diminished. I hope they win in order to indulge this fantastic taste. I have converted a few die hard Scotch drinkers to this smoother and tastier whiskey !

23rd July 2015

Bought in Sweden, drank it in Ireland the first time. Love it.

10th June 2015

Ordered it this time yesterday, delivered and opened and tasted in about 24 hours, it was recommended to me and I like it lots, tried a drop without water and a drop with, I think it needs a little water, an angels tear drop, as once described to me, is enough, lets see if my opinion changes as I work my way down the bottle.

29th April 2015

This is a must have best in its price range.

21st February 2015

This is the SMOOTHEST whiskey I have had in 20 years. I was given this as part of a Duty-Free package and I can;t wait to go back to Dublin to visit the family and pick up a bottle of it.

18th January 2015

As Scottish malt whisky fan, I have never tasted an Irish whisky I found comparable until I was given a Redbreast 12yr old for Christmas. Mmmm, this is a fine whisky which I have enjoyed immensely.
The best Irish whisky I have tasted.

1st January 2015

Look, it's a super Irish whiskey, it's very tasty... But no whiskey could live up to the promises made for this one in terms of the raft of awards and favourable reviews. Drink and enjoy, but let's not fetishize what is only one accomplished Irish offering amongst many.

15th December 2014

Good stuff-but i tasted a little mold----I guess from the barrels----mind you i was tasting laphroigh the week before.

5th December 2014

Best Irish whiskey I have had, live in Indiana, great Irish roots!, only wish we could trace them

4th December 2014

Das ist einer besten Wiskeys die ich jemals getrunken habe. Die Flasche stand einige Zeit in meinem Schrank. Dann hatte ich Besuch aus Bristol. Eine gute Gelegenheit die Flasche zu öffnen. Leider war das Vergnügen zu schnell vorüber.

4th November 2014

I was in the local Port Of Wines store buying champagne and staring at good Scotch like Tiny Tim through the window when I spied Redbreast. Will definitely buy it!

2nd November 2014

This has been a hard to find slippery feller, a Brigadoon of a whiskey, and only found last week in a fake Irish bar in New York...(this was the real thing though)...and I've never found it in my native England...smooth, hint of smoke, fruity and a distinct metallic, probably copper taste, but very pleassnt indeed. Worth hunting down, especially when in New York

23rd October 2014

I stumbled across this whiskey and really enjoyed it. I tried to get it again and it seems as though it is no longer available in British Columbia.

11th September 2014

I agree with most of the other reviews here. Im a peat-man at all times, but Redbreast is so f-ing fantastic and silky that i had to drink a second glass and then one more. The spice notes seem to play around but never take over, the sherry brings a sweetness that is so Irish it will have you singing after a few drinks, the oak influence together with the sherry brings a little drying on the finish. All together it is a lipsmackingly, marvelous and mouth watering dram. A must have in my mini-bar.

30th August 2014

I can nose this whiskey all day (and night) long, it is just fantastic full of spicy notes. The palate and finish are very appealing as well.

15th August 2014

smooth and hearty, and worth the money

31st July 2014

I absolutely love the whiskey taste. It goes down better than my finest cognacs. This whiskey needs No water, No ice and No mix. Now I hear it's going off the market. If I can't buy any in Canada, Can I buy some in the USA.

28th July 2014

Introduced to this whiskey at RiRa in Las Vegas a couple of years ago. It's all I drink now.

13th July 2014

The Best Irish for your buck without a doubt, definitely a lot better than Jamesons.

24th March 2014

Maybe I got a substandard bottle but I was a bit disappointed. It's pleasantly spicy and has an oiliness not unlike Powers (which I like), but compared to bog standard Jameson it's not much more exciting.

17th February 2014

I tried this about twelve years ago In a village pub south of Dublin. My friend and I were so impressed that we nearly finished the bottle. An extremely smooth and full of flavour whiskey - something that the Scots distilleries should be jealous of. I returned to Dublin again today and met this old friend and brought it home for Christmas, though whether the bottle lasts that long is another thing! Thank you Jameson's.

19th December 2013

I love it

15th December 2013

I got my first bottle back about 5 years ago for my 40th birthday. A buddy spoke highly of the whiskey. After my first sip I knew I was onto something grand. Needless to say as the night went on and my friends tried it, we made short work of the bottle. Absolutely one of the best whiskeys around. In Seattle I buy it for $54.00

25th November 2013

I failed to find a Bottle of Black Bush... the cellar man said try this.... Black Bush had a runner for my finest whiskey after this.... A few years have passed and I have discovered many better others.... but as far as Irish whiskey goes this ties 2nd place with Black Bush...... If you haven't tried the best Irish whiskey (Green Spot) and you like this... then you need to have a word with yourself.

1st November 2013

I can stop looking for the perfect whiskey, I found it in RedBreast.
Like the previous reviewers, I give this whiskey an outstanding review. I was surprisingly impressed. Very smooth, and flavorful.

29th September 2013

Rich and full bodies, with deep lingering flavors of caramel, heather, and persimmon.

26th August 2013

Friends gave me a bottle for my birthday this year and this is far and away the smoothest whiskey I've ever tasted. My son tried it and thought it was very special also, and we both plan to continue having this on hand (and tongue).

21st August 2013

Truly what I would imagine an angel's tears would taste like...

9th August 2013

This is a very good drop, good flavour profile smooth and an enjoyable drop. Recommended.

12th July 2013

Yum

10th July 2013

I've just had a tasting night with over a dozen whiskies at this price point and this was the clear winner!

13th May 2013

Drink it and thank profoundly the great whiskey distiller in the sky this stuff touched your lips

23rd November 2012

I know this is a well liked whiskey, but I can't say I'm so favorably impressed with either the aroma or the flavor. It's not bad, but neither do I find it interesting. On the other hand, I've only had this 3 cl sample, and I find that's often not enough to get the tastebuds to settle in on the flavors. I'll give it the same rating as a basic Speyside single malt--different but no more enjoyable. Karl

26th September 2012

Maino’s Whisky Tasting Notes http://mainosmusings.blogspot.com/

Name of Whisky:__Redbreast 12 year old Cask Strength____________
Distiller: (Irish Distillers Pernod Richard) Midleton Age:¬ 12years_ Color: Full Gold/Sauternes_
Sherry casks and Bourbon barrels___Single Pot Whiskey _ABV: _57.7%_____
Swirl: Very oily and viscous. Clings to the glass.
Nose (Neat):_ Vanilla,Cinnamon, Citric, Apple (Dilute): _ Earthy ,Vanilla,Cinnamon, Apple
Nose Intensity: Mellow, Prickly
Flavor:Vanilla,Cinnamon, Citric, Apple
Mouth Feel: Viscous, Drying
First Taste: Sweet
First Taste Intensity: Mellow Warming Prickly Peppery Sharp
Finish: Sweet
Finish Intensity: Warming, Prickly
Comments: This is a part of a batch of only 68 casks. This means that there will be some variation due to the wood that would get averaged out when more casks are used. This first bottles became available in Ireland, France and Germany, and then in the US only in February 2012. I’m writing this on 03-02-2012. Wow! This hits with a kick wrapped in a pillow. It starts mellow..than warms. You know you’ve tasted a good whiskey! You must sip this one. NO GULPING allowed! This is an excellent whiskey! Very nice indeed.
M rating: 5Ms MMMMM’s Cost: __$65 __

4th March 2012

Haha. This stuff is beautiful, I've never been so pleased with a new find. It's incredibly smooth, although I'd say Sainsbury's Dun Leire is smoother but this is bigger and more complex. Just as an extra note see if you can taste the sour apples - top notch!

31st January 2012

I don't drink anything else since I discovered Redbreast.......Perfection.

4th December 2011

I had it for the first time at a friends home. I will be having it again! Well done does not say enough. It is so smooth.

10th July 2011

this is one of the best i have tasted and at this price point i have to give it a perfect score, bought this on a whim and now it is a mainstay, like the previous reviews have stated this stands up and even out shines whiskey that is much older, just can't say enough good things about this one,a job well done by the distillers, congrats!

12th March 2011

Absolutely Beautiful!! smooth as a young woman's skin and as soft as her touch, better than the top 21 year old named brands

8th March 2011

This whisky outshines most "excellent" single malts on the market. You need to try it to believe it. From the the nose to the lingering finish, there is an explosion of flavours. Simply unique.

11th June 2010

Superb whisky - one of the (if not "THEE") smoothest tasting whisky I have every had the pleasure of enjoying. For a 12 yr old, Redbreast holds it's own with any 18 yr Glenmorangie - well done.

13th August 2009