$21 price difference…lots of Pot Still flavor and only a slight touch from the grain whiskey…it’s a wonder in my book. Very smooth stuff. As a category, Irish whiskey has been holding its own along with bourbon, rye, and scotch, as Irish brands expand their catalogue and develop new expressions focusing on specific characteristics like barrel finishing. The Midleton Distillery, under the auspices of its parent company Pernod Ricard, is a truly impressive operation, producing whiskey on a scale that dwarfs many others. Only recently have Irish forests come back to a level where distilleries can use the wood for barrels – the country was mostly stripped for shipbuilding while under British rule. Redbreast is a very special whiskey within the Irish Distillers fortified as it's the only 12 year old Pure Pot Still available. This explains why the whiskey is so expensive, as there are currently only so many Irish oak barrels available. I enjoy Jameson but I think the Redbreast has a better flavor and roundness as well. It was first launched in 1939 as the brand name given to the pot still whiskey supplied by Jameson to whiskey bonders before bottling at the distillery became the norm in 1968. For all its richness, it’s also quite smooth. The following are the full range of Jameson Irish whiskey: Jameson 12 Year Old Special Reserve Irish Whiskey; ... a shot of Jameson whiskey with cheap longneck beer. A visit to the compound is highly recommended, as whiskey production is such an important and integral part of Ireland’s history. Green Spot is an underappreciated Irish whiskey here in America, due in large part to its limited production, but it’s a superb single pot still Irish whiskey produced at Midleton specifically for Dublin wine merchant Mitchell & Son. I normally drink the standard Jameson but I know you guys know it better than me. Introducing our spokes bird, Robin Redbreast. Jameson 12 got me into whiskey but it doesn't hold a match to redbreast. IMHO, Redbreast is the best value whiskey around. I am 99% sure I will be getting a bottle of the 12 Year again for this New Years. The classic 1970s version of Redbreast which was distilled at the old Bow Street Jameson Distillery. Redbreast 12-Year, Cask Strength Okay, so Redbreast isn't actually Jameson, but it is made in the same facility (Irish Distillers in County Cork). For many, Redbreast is the best of the best when it comes to Irish whiskey. I have a bottle of both that i'm working through - the Jameson has a stronger, sweeter taste, while the redbreast is an awful lot smoother. Today we taste and review Jameson 12 Year Old Special Reserve and compare it to Redbreast 12. Good call. Ireland- Single Pot Still, triple distilled, matured in Bourbon and Sherry seasoned Spanish Oak casks. But if you make it to the distillery, be sure to pick up a bottle of the cask strength version. This is the newest addition to the Jameson family, the bestselling Irish whiskey in the entire world. This is an excellent, if pricey, expression from the Midleton Distillery. Midleton. There is also more pot still whiskey in this blend than in regular Jameson, and it’s a bit older. Jameson Redbreast 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey. The dominant note I got was that of fresh apple peels, both on the nose and palate. I recently had the chance to visit Ireland’s famous Midleton Distillery, located just outside of Cork, a few days before St. Patrick’s Day courtesy of Jameson Irish Whiskey. Compared to either of those whiskeys, Redbreast 12 year is smoother but also more complex. on my fifth bottle of redbreast 12 yr this year 2014.i have to say i bought the green spot a few months ago, and was really not impressed with it.for the few extra dollars for the redbreast it’s quite an improvement,you are getting the full 12 years of maturation,green spot 7 to 10 years.to me redbreast regular 12 yr 40% abv.is the finest irish whiskey on the market today,GET SOME!!!! Jameson 12 Year Old Special Reserve (Formerly known as Jameson 1780) 40%. Matured in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, the distinctive Redbreast sherry style is a joy to behold in each and every bottle. I agree with you here.... RB is much, much better IMO... For me Jameson doesn't start to get good until the 18 year and then for the price I can still find something much better usually much cheaper. Every year for New Years I drink a bottle of Jameson (I'm a good strapping Irish Lad) and last year I did a bottle of the 12 Year. Redbreast 12 bottled at cask strength shares the same recipe of the already excellent Redbreast 12 Year Old, without the addition of water. 1912, probably. I love the Red Breast Cask Strength. If I was given a free lifetime supply of Irish whiskey, I'd choose Jameson or Powers Gold Label over Redbreast 12 yr. Jameson 12 (and Jameson in general) is awesome, but I think the Redbreast has better quality over all. Jameson is, of course, distilled there, along with the majority of name-brand Irish whiskeys – Paddy, Powers, Redbreast, Green Spot, Yellow Spot, and more. But then, excellent sipping … Finish – One single note – nothing more. It’s aromatic, intensely flavorful, has a rich full body and usually clocks in under $50. I'd go with the Redbreast hands down over Jameson; the nose and palate are both more vibrant while the finish seems (to me) to be more complex. So it makes perfect sense that the Chateau Leoville Barton expression would be finished in wine casks. Where to begin? Redbreast 12 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Our signature bottling, Redbreast 12 boasts the flavour complexity and distinctive qualities of Pot Still whiskey. Redbreast 12 Cask Strength emerges directly from the cask in its natural, undiluted, full bodied state. Nose – Sherry dried fruit, raisins, like an apple pie or crumble; Taste – Cherry with the sherry even more pronounced than the Jameson Original, a bit of pine nut. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 12. One of the most decorated Irish whiskeys, Redbreast is the largest selling Single Pot Still Irish whiskey in the world and is regarded as the definitive expression of traditional Pot Still whiskey. This whiskey is “regular” Jameson, matured for about six years in bourbon and sherry casks, that has been finished in ex-stout barrels supplied by Franciscan Well Brewery. Long complex finish. Redbreast is distilled at the Midleton Distillery using copper pot stills and aged in Oloroso sherry casks. The main differences between Tullamore Dew vs Jameson are: Tullamore Dew is produced in different distilleries, whereas Jameson is produced in a single distillery. THE BEST Irish whiskeys in the world have been toasted at the annual 2019 Irish Whiskey Awards. Try this in an Old Fashioned and you won’t be disappointed. The flavor profile is bright, not overpoweringly woody, and something altogether different for Irish whiskey. Possibly one of the few single pot still whiskeys around. This isn’t just a marketing ploy; you can really taste the chocolate and coffee infusion imparted by the beer-soaked wood. Any style goes, including Bourbon, Scotch, Rye, Wheat, Canadian, Irish, White Dogs, and everything in between. The name stuck, the reputation grew, and the bird made his way onto the label and now onto your screens. Brands like Jameson, Redbreast, and Green Spot originate from Midleton Distillery, which happens to offer its own limited edition releases. Compared Black Barrel side by side with RedBreast 12. EDIT: Not water like lack of flavor, but water like smooth as water. they are very close in price. For many, Redbreast is the best of the best when it comes to Irish whiskey. One of the most decorated Irish whiskeys, Redbreast is the largest selling Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey in the world. You can definitely taste the fruity, slightly acidic wine on the palate and in the nose here, but it’s subtle, never overpowering, and stands with the best of Midleton’s output. Buying it is kind of fun – you get to pour it into a bottle from the barrel yourself. Go for the Redbreast - It has an incredibly smooth mouth-feel. Please consult the guides and rules before posting, Press J to jump to the feed. Spicy yet fruity nose. Thanks for the input guys, think ill go for the redbreast to branch out a bit, I can always grab the Jameson another time, very excited for it! Redbreast. I prefer higher proof whiskies and it really adds a whole other layer of complexity to the RB 12. The distillery produces two types of whiskey, triple-distilled pot still made from malted and unmalted barley, and grain whiskey. ! Was walking past the local speciality alcohol store on my way to work today and noticed both these whiskies in the window for the same price, I am getting a bottle of whiskey for Christmas and haven't decided which whiskey I want. Quite rough and ready tasting by today's standards but very interesting and enjoya The flavor is bigger and the proof higher – the bottle I got was a hefty 59.2% ABV – so be sure to sip this one with a little water, and take your time. For the true Irish pot still drinking experience, Redbreast is probably the best place to start – it drinks like a much more expensive whiskey, but it’s entirely accessible to newcomers. Like the title suggests. © 2020 Paste Media Group. Harmonious taste of spice, fruit, and sherry. Best Irish Whiskey at the 2019 International Whiskey … Jameson is good, but not really in the same league in my opinion; the closest they get for similar price is the Black Barrel, but I still don't think it quite measures up to Redbreast 12. I ended up choosing the Jameson 12, simply because I hadn't had RB before and I knew I liked Jameson. Irish whiskey is enjoying something of a moment, with no fewer than 35 different and highly distinctive distilleries operating across the Emerald Isle. After seeing everyone's suggestions, I'll absolutely give RB a shot (no pun intended) next. Black Barrel is by far my favorite Jameson expression. It’s the most bourbon-like of the lot, no doubt due to the double-charred bourbon barrels that it’s aged in, in addition to the sherry casks. But, if things continue to go well, perhaps in the future the distillery will release whiskey matured entirely in Irish oak. I'll let you (the OP) know how the J12 works out for me. Redbreast 12 is probably the best value in Single Pot Still whiskey on the market right now. i agree with dr_doom ive had a few bottles of each and i find the red breast to be a much better whiskey all around. I was in a similar dilemma today. The 15 and 21 Year Olds are outstanding, of course, but for the price you might as well stick with the original 12 Year Old. All Rights Reserved, Jameson Select Reserve Cask Strength Black Barrel. A great value in the world of high quality Irish Whiskey. I am also on the Redbreast train. Here is a list of some of the best whiskey currently being produced at the Midleton Distillery. The two differ in ways that are illustrative of some key concepts in Irish Whiskey. The label’s most recent expression is Midleton Very Rare 2018, a premium blend that’s as distinguished as it sounds. Then hold up the conch and say why you aren't. The year the chairman of W&A Gilbey spotted the Robin Redbreast through the trees and decided on the name, there and then. Redbreast is the largest selling Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey in the world. A place where we discuss, review, and read articles about whiskey. REDBREAST 12 YR IRISH WHISKEY 750ml. It has a little bit of a funky taste to it, but it’s a nice contrast with the smooth, sweet, and familiar Jameson flavor profile. But Redbreast 12 yr has an underlying bitterness which, to me, feels "off" in a whiskey. We’ll start where one must start, with the Redbreast 12 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey (40-percent ABV; $58), the torch that kept the category alive throughout the … I was looking for a finer whiskey than what I normally drink, for a special occasion. Redbreast 12 Year Old. Tullamore Dew is aged in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry cask type, ... #2 Redbreast 15yr Irish Whisky. It's no contest. It consists of 15 to 22-year-old Midleton pot still whiskey that has been finished in Irish oak barrels for up to a year. get the red breast. Some, like Jameson, are carefully formulated blends of the two, while others, like Redbreast, are single pot still whiskeys that leave out the grain component. Jameson Redbreast 12 Year Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is considered by whiskey connoisseurs worldwide as the finest expression of Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey in the world. I am probably not nearly as well versed as the other folks here, but I say go for the Redbreast. Slainte. Home to several other single pot still Irish whiskeys, Midleton Distillery also produces Jameson and Tullamore Dew. These whiskeys are very oily with the old style fusel oil flavour coming through from the old Bow Street spirit. I'm not a big fan of the regular Jameson range but the 12 year is tasty as hell, New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, Hi and welcome to r/whiskey! Distillation process: Redbreast is a single pot still Irish whiskey, while Jameson is a blend of of both pot-distilled malt whiskey and column-distilled grain whiskey. They are very similar (and are actually made by the same company, at the same distillery). Jameson 12 or redbreast 12? Well worth it. For the money, even though it is blended, the Black Barrel is very comparable. Displaying a depth of flavour and the unmistakable influence of pot still whiskey, which was matured in the finest sherry casks, Redbreast 12 years Value. I guess I'm in the minority here, but I am not a fan of Redbreast. The distillery is currently a mix of the old and new; many of the historical buildings remain for visitors to walk through and get a sense of how things used to be, while the real production occurs in a massive and thoroughly modern operation. For the same price, Redbreast wins every time. It’s complex, full-bodied, and incredibly satisfying. You'd think this would have it taste familiar, but where Redbreast 12 is wonderfully complex and smooth to drink, the Cask Strength is a roller-coaster ride of flavour. Was walking past the local speciality alcohol store on my way to work today and noticed both these whiskies in the window for the same price, I am getting a bottle of whiskey for Christmas and haven't decided which whiskey I want. 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