Last week it was first announced that a new Redbreast Dream Cask will be launched, which is already the 4th edition of the popular Irish pot still whiskey. The ballot is currently open for registrations, so it isn’t out yet, but I was lucky enough to have been able to already taste it.
First released in 2018, it was a dream come true for master blender Billy Leighton. He always wanted a special annual release for Redbreast and with the Dream Cask, he certainly created something unique. From the first moment it turned out to be a success and since then this annual release has only continued to increase in popularity.
Each release in this series has been put together completely differently, has a different age and different types of barrels are used, but there’s always one thing in common… the characteristic flavours of the Redbreast are always present. So what’s new for this Dream cask.
For this Oloroso Edition 4 different casks have been selected, all of which have a minimum age of at least 29 years old. This vatting of ex-bourbon, sherry and Ruby Port seasoned casks has then spent another 15 months in an Oloroso sherry butt.
The 4 casks included are:
1: a single pot still Irish whiskey distilled in 1989, matured in an ex-bourbon barrel and re-casked into a ruby port cask in 1995.
2: a single pot still Irish whiskey distilled in 1991, matured in a second-fill ex-bourbon barrel.
3: a single pot still Irish whiskey distilled in 1991, matured in a second-fill ex-bourbon barrel.
4: a single pot still Irish whiskey distilled in 1991, matured in an ex-bourbon barrel and re-casked into a sherry butt in 2011.
Launched especially for World Whisky Day, it was bottled at a strength of 51.5% ABV. Only 924 bottles will be available, which will cost you €520.
Please note that these bottles will exclusively be available for the members of Redbreast’s own private club, The Birdhouse. So you will have to register for this before you can enter the ballot (which runs to the 25th of May!).
Redbreast Dream Cask tasting notes:
Nose: forest fruits, with plenty of blueberries and a hint of blackberries. Honey. Then some vanilla. Followed by spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. An oak note as well as leather. Later also oranges. Then an earthy note, like wet black earth and walnuts.
Taste: a hint of tropical fruits. Honey and blueberries. Creme brulee. Sweet raisins and dark chocolate. An oak note here as well. Followed by spices, such as black pepper, nutmeg and cinnamon.
Finish: long with lingering spices and a hint of oak. Oranges and blueberries too.
I can’t compare it to the other Dream Casks, because this is the first one I taste, but I really like this Oloroso Edition. Each cask seems to add something, as does the oloroso cask finish, but nothing dominates. It’s well balanced and it combines nicely with the spices that are characteristic of Redbreast. Well done.
Sample provided by Irish Distillers.
