What you need to know:

• Redbreast has released the fifth edition of their most premium Dream Cask in celebration of World Whisky Day 2022 - a 30 year old single pot still Irish whiskey.
• Uniquely, this edition will be a blend of two Dream Casks - one first-fill Oloroso Sherry Butt distilled in May 1990 and the other a first-fill Bourbon Barrel distilled in November 1991.
• With an outturn of 714 bottles, it will be made available by ballot within Redbreast's The Birdhouse members' club, with each bottle packaged in a keepsake book made from recyclable cardboard.
• The ballot is open to select countries (including Singapore), and will run from 23rd - 30th May 2022.
• “An incredibly complex Irish whiskey that harmoniously balances the vanilla sweetness and caramel creaminess from the bourbon barrel and the deep, dark fruitiness from the sherry butt, with an ABV of 56.9%, the resulting liquid is rich in robust spice with wood-driven characteristics and notes of dark-roasted coffee, sweet liquorice, orange peel and smoked almonds amplified by the wine cask’s influence.”
• Why's it called Dream Cask? Because you only get to dream of it.

Redbreast, a rising star in the Irish whiskey universe, has released the fifth edition of their most premium Dream Cask in celebration of World Whisky Day 2022 (which highlights whiskies produced globally from outside Scotland) - a 30 year old single pot still Irish whiskey that hopes to encapsulate the characteristic Redbreast style and to celebrate innovation and craftsmanship.

But more uniquely, this edition will be a blend of two Dream Casks (hence the Double Casks) - one first-fill Oloroso Sherry Butt distilled in May 1990 (selected by Master Blender Billy Leighton) and the other a first-fill Bourbon Barrel distilled in November 1991 (selected by Blender Dave McCabe).

Master Blender Bill Leighton. (Image Source: Redbreast)

“Bottling these outstanding casks together at precisely the right moment has resulted in an incredibly complex Irish whiskey that harmoniously balances the vanilla sweetness and caramel creaminess from the bourbon barrel and the deep, dark fruitiness from the sherry butt,

With an ABV of 56.9%, the resulting liquid is rich in robust spice with wood-driven characteristics and notes of dark-roasted coffee, sweet liquorice, orange peel and smoked almonds amplified by the wine cask’s influence.

The Dream Cask collection has always been about sharing our most rare and special casks with Redbreast fans around the world and we are thrilled to showcase two distinct casks within this release,

For this 2022 expression, we set out to create a perfectly aged single pot still whiskey that captured the qualities and virtues of its Dream Cask predecessors, but with a new and distinctive twist of marrying these two casks just at the point of bottling. We are delighted with the results and are excited to share this next chapter in the unfolding story of Redbreast.” 

Master Blender Billy Leighton

(Image Source: Redbreast)

“The traditional Redbreast style is so often associated with the influence of sherry casks that we sometimes overlook the role bourbon casks play in its composition. I am honoured to have been able to select my perfectly aged dream bourbon cask for this year’s Dream Cask and to pay homage to that unbeatable harmony that makes Redbreast so special.

We are incredibly fortunate that we have the variety of aged stock at Midleton Distillery to explore and make our dreams a reality. Sharing our discovery with whiskey drinkers across the world is one of the most exciting and joyful aspects of my role to date.”

Blender Dave McCabe

Official Tasting Notes

Aroma

A rich and complex balance of aromas. A suggestion of dried herbs and earthy tones combine with hints of antique furniture, anise, hazelnut and tobacco. Autumnal fruits, black cherry and cassis build in perfect harmony with oak and sherry wine influences.

Taste

Luscious and full with warming spices and soft tannins at first. Notes of dark roasted coffee, honey-menthol and sweet liquorice follow, complementing the pot still spices. Orange peel and smoked almonds add their own unique and subtle touch.

Finish

Long and satisfyingly rich with the precise balance of fruits, spices and oak lingering until the very end.

Our Take

Last year's fourth edition of Redbreast's Dream Cask took in a whopping 11,000 bids for their 29 Year Old Oloroso Sherry expression. So you already know it ain't going to be easy - why else would they call it Dream Cask? You're more than likely to just be dreaming of it, duh!

(Image Source: Redbreast)

Yet that shouldn't stop you from trying because for it's price, 550 EUR, it ain't cheap but not many good things at this age comes much cheaper either. I actually think it's a pretty fair price for what it is.

Irish whiskies have certainly been staging quite the comeback and have been increasingly popular for their lighter, brighter and fruitier styles that are quite in vogue. Yet, the aged expressions are really where it's at, as many of these casks were what survived the drought that basically killed most of the industry and weren't quite produced the way they do now. With these well-aged expressions (that have become known to be quite the legendary fruit bombs), you know you're truly getting that something special.

Don't wanna break the bank? Try the Redbreast Lustau instead. (Image Source: Redbreast)

Besides, Redbreast has been an all-round favorite of ours (if not for the fact that they're quite damaging to the purse). If this is out of your range, try the Redbreast Lustau, it'll taste great at a fraction of the price.

Kanpai!

@111hotpot