Redbreast 25. La Maison du Whisky.

Sometimes a whisky jumps out at you and you have that feeling somewhere deep down that this could be rather special, it might be that the particular whisky is from a favourite distillery or just one of those dream Drams.

A while back I was sent through a small bottle of Redbreast 25yo that had been bottled for the 60th anniversary of La Maison du Whisky..  Founded in 1956 by Georges Bénitah, La Maison du Whisky is now one of the largest specialists in France for the importing and distribution of rare whiskies.  The first shop was created in 1968, at 20 rue d’Anjou, Paris. The shop with its wooden paneling, is just a stone’s throw away the Place de la Madeleine and is entirely dedicated to malt whisky, boasting a special collector’s corner bursting with some of the most sought after bottlings, the name La Maison du Whisky is certainly a title that most dedicated whisky drinkers will be well aware off.

Redbreast is a brand of single pot still Irish Whiskey produced by Irish Distillers. It was originally produced by Gilbey’s, a Dublin spirits merchants using distillate sourced from Jameson’s Bow Street Distillery.  The brand was purchased in the 1980s, by Irish Distillers, the producers of Jameson Irish whiskey. It is now the largest selling single pot still Irish whiskey in the world.

This 25 year old single cask Irish whiskey was selected by the head of blending Billy Leighton, laid down in 1991 this cask laid sleeping in warehouse M16A,  Bay  013, and has been bottled at cask strength (53.2%) Cask 42972 is a single Oloroso sherry butt.

Nose.. Soft dried fruits entice the senses while aromatic spices mingle with subtle oak, zingy orange peel and dark chocolate. A delightfully gentle tobacco note plays with old leather and a whisper of coffee grinds..

Palate.. Spices dominate the initial flavours before the dried fruit, chocolate and citrus notes begin to shine through, the oak comes into play with hints of nutmeg, vanilla and Black Forest gateau.

Finish.. Spices and sherried oak.

Thoughts.. This single cask is screaming elegance from the very start.. The nose is gentle and just gives away enough of its secrets to entice you in further. The palate  then grabs your full attention and just wisps you away to your happy place..

An extremely well balanced whiskey that has depth and complexity to boot, this is Irish whiskey at its best !