Irish whiskey brand Redbreast has just released the latest edition of their premium Dream Cask Series - a 27 year old single pot still Irish whiskey with Ruby Port, Bourbon and Tawny Port influence, called the Redbreast Dream Cask Port to Port Edition.

The Port to Port edition will be a blend of two casks: each was aged separately for 27 years and 28 years respectively in bourbon and ruby port casks, before being married together for three months in two tawny port casks. Both casks were selected by Master Blender Billy Leighton and Blender Dave McCabe.

The Dream Cask collection was launched in 2018 to showcase some of Redbreast's most rare and unique casks with Redbreast lovers. The Port to Port Edition marks its sixth iteration in this series.

Master Blender Bill Leighton. (Image Source: Redbreast)

According to Master Blender Billy Leighton, “the two single pot still whiskeys which had been maturing separately were already an outstanding pairing, but the marrying period in the tawny port casks elevated the expression to new heights. The tawny port influence adds notes of baked goods, toasted nuts, and sweet almond, overall making for a complex, full bodied final liquid."

The Port to Port edition uniquely departs from a common Redbreast practice of using sherry casks, instead leaning heavily more heavily on the use of port casks to bring out richer, winey flavours. As Blender Dave McCabe shared: 

 “The traditional Redbreast style is mostly associated with the influence of sherry. Saying that, we took inspiration from the popularity of the port cask inclusion in Redbreast 27 Year Old, and decided to push the boundary a little bit further. By using two types of port casks for this year’s Dream Cask, we created a whiskey with a medium spice intensity along with distinctive wine driven characteristics.

We felt a three month finish in the tawny port casks was the optimal time needed, adding new layers of complexity to the whiskey. At the same time, we were conscious of preserving the individual characteristics that these two liquids had gained from their original maturation journeys.”

Official Tasting Notes

Aroma

An intense burst of flavour with cassis, stone fruits, and citrus peel to the fore while notes of dried figs and dates along with sweet black cherry slowly tip toe into the medley of flavours. The heavy and medium pot still whiskeys add vibrant and robust aromas of white pepper and clove spice while herbal notes of lemon verbena and thyme weave amongst the nutty praline and baked confectionary that the port seasoning brings to this exquisite whiskey.

Taste

Luscious and textured with medium spice intensity and a balanced oak tannin contribution. Toasted almonds and cacao nibs with a mild earthy character are complimented by the dried fruits and red berry compote. The pot still spices build adding a mild heat of chilli flakes while the influences drawn from the ruby and tawny port continue to provide and abundance of flavour, working in tandem with the toasted European oak.

Finish

Rich and lasting, with the pot still spices the first to slowly fade allowing the wine seasoned oak and fruits to have the final say.

The new Redbreast Dream Cask Port to Port will be available exclusively through an online ballot hosted by Redbreast's online members' club The Birdhouse at an RRP of €580. There will be a total 870 bottles for sale.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team