Redbreast Lustau Edition

Very much a fledgling Irish whiskey drinker, but can honestly say this bottle is a delight. The sherry is very present on the nose. Immediate alcohol warmth, but no burn. Vanilla, with biscuit-like quality. Gives way to dried fruit and spice. Long finish, it has an almost syrupy quality without being overly sweet.

At first I got the aroma of the Oloroso Sherry. Then, on tasting it was so smooth. At the end I got the after taste across the tongue of raisins. This is now my favourite single pot still Irish Whiskey.

Well I had high expectations of this whiskey from the outset. Make no mistake, this is really good as far as it goes. You can drink this stuff until the cows come home I'm sure. But my overall assessment is that it is pretty one dimensional, caramel toffee, sherry of course, sweet certainly but that's it. No subtlety, not complex in anyway at all. But you get what it says on the box I guess. It hits a good many buttons but for me, well, it lacks inspiration.

Warm, rich, sweet, smooth and rounded with a longer, more complex finish than (the beautiful) Redbreast 12.

Creamy, buttery, caramel with a wave of sherry washing down the mouth just like the best of Irish whiskeys, followed up with a hint of a spiced oak finish as it goes down, reminiscent of a lingering bourbon, it's everything I want in a well rounded sip.

Its like my 3 favourite whiskeys had a threesome and this is the legitimate, polygamous love child who brings only joy to the world to the many around that love their offspring deeply and dearly. 9.99/10

Easily smell toasted almonds , easily detect the irish whiskey character , very enjoyable and bright with slight citrus nuances, interesting that my empty glass smelt exactly like rolling tobbaco ...good stuff

What every other internet review woefully fails to convey is just how complex a dram this modern classic delivers. Are you sitting comfortably? Then let me begin.

They say originality died after the renaissance. Perhaps so but there have been notable efforts; Wings’ magnum opus Band on the Run, Hieronymus Bosch’s earnest ‘The Garden of Earthly Delights’, and Homer’s whimsical The Iliad.’

Redbreast’s 12 year Lustau restores faith once more in the face of humanity’s otherwise recent foray into mediocrity. Sidebar - it’s only apology is to not kowtow to woke cultures puerile persistence in bringing everyone (and thing for that matter) to its own homogenous level. Wait! It’s changed it’s mind. Sorry (not sorry) millennials.

Unabashedly honest, the Lustau simply will not stop giving. Sip after sip the sherry notes build to a blissful crescendo. Beethoven would give a knowing nod if they were still alive.

It’s okay. You can keep your single malt peat bog misery. I prefer a single pot still experience that doesn’t taste like the ashes from your latest hippy campfire bonding retreat.

It’s hard to put into words just how smooth this redbreast is. Do yourself a favour and leave the ice in the ice tray. You’ll palette will thank you later if not immediately. This is now my go-to bottle and the yardstick by which I measure the integrity of my acquaintances.

Let’s get down to brass tax:

Nose: Liquorice root, candied orange, Assam tea and a suggestion of treated pine.

Palate: A bounty of sheried tarts. A nougat left hook that seemingly comes from nowhere. Toasted marshmallows that genuinely warm.

After: Heavy guff. Long on the sherry, short on the oak with a final flourish of orange peel.

IMHO the redbreast is the apex of the genre. Think you can find better? I’ll wait.

This is my go-to bottle. Absolutely spectacular in every way. It never disappoints. Ever.

Nose: Fruit treated wood, a lick of varnish.

Palate: Lots of heavily sherried wooded spice. Sparkles on and on. Dark orange spikes.

After: Oaky but short.

This has a rich, sherried flavour, more interesting than the Redbreast 12. It benefits from sitting in the glass for a few minutes, otherwise it tastes too young. Nice and creamy! Very enjoyable.

A little stronger and a little younger and more brash perhaps, but still a fine version of the 12 yr old.
Sophisticated opening leads to a drier, less sweet finish, with a bit more fire in the belly... my 'lady of the night'