Today we're trying Redbreast's  27 Year Old Ruby Port Cask enriched by Irish single malt whiskey. This is just a touch below the highest tiers of Redbreast's, the Dream Casks. 

Recently Irish whiskies have been going astronomical, and while some say they represent great value compared to comparable Scotches of the same age and/or quality, I think that value gap is pretty much closing.

Hence, when I got the fortune of spotting it at a local festival, Singapore's The Malt Affair - I had to give it a go.

For some context, Redbreast comes from the Midleton Distillery which belongs to Irish Distillers, which in turn finds itself in the Pernod Ricard stable. Redbreast stands somewhat unique amongst its Midleton brethren, it uses an older style pot still and doesn't include in its mix any grain whiskey. They also focus that much more singularly on the use of Oloroso Sherry casks. In total, they've carved out quite the cult following given their full-bodied, fruity, creamy smooth and nicely peppery whiskies.

Now you might raise your eyebrows as to the term "enriched by". To be clear, this expression isn't finished per se in Port casks. Rather, this 27 Year Old expression combines the usual bourbon and sherry matured pot whiskey with whiskey matured in Ruby Port casks from Portugal's Duoro Valley.

Redbreast Ruby Port Casks 27 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, 53.5% ABV - Review

Color: Gleaming Copper Gold

Aroma: It starts off with a touch of peppercorns but quickly makes way for a brighter, punchier medley of red fruits, pomegranates, raisins, cranberries, muscats, blood orange. A real clean, crisp fruitiness with a slight tartness to its bite. It continues to deliver an oaky woodiness, potpourri, sprinkles of dried Italian herbs and spices - rosemary, oregano, a sprig of parsley, dried tomato flakes; lightly tart and herbaceous. Really aromatic stuff.

It opens up to something richer but still very clean, brown sugar, espresso, dark chocolate shavings. A little reminiscent of candied fruit and Turkish delight. There's a touch of nuttiness here as well, walnuts in particular.

Taste: Creamy, hefty vanilla creme caramel mouthfeel. Spicy with red chillies, more pomegranates, cranberries, cherries and raisins. More on baking spices and Italian herbs, juicy beefy tomatoes, opening up into more stone fruits - raspberries, plums, apricots. There's an interweaving flash of oaky tannins giving it a slight bitterness.

As it continues to evolve, it showcases a more sherried profile - fruitcake, dark chocolate, espresso, figs, clove. Light touches of burnt ends and icing sugar. A base of Graham crackers and honey oats adds to the creamy richness, with brown sugar and black tea leaves. This gives a layer of astringency to the otherwise sweet, creaminess. More on marzipan and cola gummies.

Finish: Medium finish. More baking spices, brown sugar, burnt ends. Light touches of honey, still very buttery, as well as icing sugar, black tea, gentle oak.

My Thoughts

This had all the textural definitions of an Irish whiskey but enhanced with Port notes of stone fruits, chocolates and nuttiness - all of which were highly expressive in this case. I found those front and center, while the more classic Irish notes of tropical fruit taking more of a backseat. It certainly gave the expression a whole lot of complexity and at times there was a rotation of various styles which made it very interesting and enjoyable.

It never got cloyingly sweet and showed a good amount of balance and contrast with the acidity and astringency from the black tea and oak notes. It can come across rather spicy and if so, let it air for abit before diving back in, it simmers down pretty quickly.

That said, I still can't bear to pull the trigger on this for the price. It tastes great, but does it taste that great? I'm not there yet. For now, drams will do.

 Kanpai!

@111hotpot