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Redbreast Turns To Port Casks For New Whiskey

Irish Distillers has introduced Redbreast Tawny Port Cask Edition, a limited-edition single pot still Irish whiskey finished in tawny port casks from Portugal’s breath-taking Douro Valley. Redbreast Tawny Port Cask Edition marks the third release of the brand’s acclaimed Iberian Series. The series is inspired by Redbreast’s long standing connection to some of the Iberian …

Irish Distillers has introduced Redbreast Tawny Port Cask Edition, a limited-edition single pot still Irish whiskey finished in tawny port casks from Portugal’s breath-taking Douro Valley.

Redbreast Tawny Port Cask Edition marks the third release of the brand’s acclaimed Iberian Series. The series is inspired by Redbreast’s long standing connection to some of the Iberian Peninsula’s most celebrated cooperages and winemakers, combining the craft and rich heritage of the region with the excellence of Midleton Distillery’s single pot still whiskeys to create expressions that are truly extraordinary. Redbreast Tawny Port Cask Edition is the second limited edition to join the series, following the 2021 release of Redbreast Pedro Ximénez Edition, and permanent expression and series anchor, Redbreast Lustau Edition.

Expertly created by esteemed Master Blender Billy Leighton and Blender Dave McCabe, Redbreast Tawny Port Cask Edition is a single pot still Irish whiskey initially matured in a combination of bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks. To add a new dimension to the flavor profile, a portion of these maturing whiskeys were re-casked into tawny port casks for a number of years. All of the whiskeys were then skillfully blended and completed their maturation journey by marrying in freshly seasoned tawny port hogsheads for a final maturation period of 14-25 months.

The inspiration for Redbreast Tawny Port Cask Edition started over 12 years ago, when Leighton took a trip to the Douro Valley in Portugal to visit some of Midleton Distillery’s partner cooperages and winemakers.

Leighton said, “Enjoying lunch with the late renowned winemaker Joaquim Anacleto and Gesprove Winemaker José Pinheiro overlooking the valley, we were discussing the various wines and spirits that had influenced our whiskeys over the years and tawny port came up in conversation. Having worked with Ruby Port previously, we pondered the differences tawny port holds and subsequently the intriguing flavor profile that it could add to our whiskeys. Since then, we have been aging single pot still whiskey in a small number of tawny port casks we receive annually from this beautiful sun drenched valley and, needless to say, we have been delighted with the results.”

Redbreast Tawny Port Cask Edition is bottled at 46% and will be available from 18 September in the USA, Ireland, UK, China, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Global Travel and online at the RRP of €100, £79, $100.

Parker’s Heritage 10 Year Old Cask Strength Rye Whiskey Review (2023)

By Richard Thomas Rating: B+ When I read the stats on the 17th edition of Parker’s Heritage, I felt some sympathy for the folks working in PR and marketing at Heaven Hill, because I blanched at the thought of the response I knew was unfolding on bourbon forums: “A 10 year old cask strength? Yawn/fake …

By Richard Thomas

Rating: B+

Parker’s Heritage 10 Year Old Cask Strength Rye (2023)
(Credit: Heaven Hill)

When I read the stats on the 17th edition of Parker’s Heritage, I felt some sympathy for the folks working in PR and marketing at Heaven Hill, because I blanched at the thought of the response I knew was unfolding on bourbon forums: “A 10 year old cask strength? Yawn/fake outrage. That is just Heaven Hill trying to rob us of our cash!”

Well, that is the internet. Some corner of it rails with the most potent of venom against rainbows or puppies, and in bourbon circles they look at a series like Parker’s Heritage and scoff whenever the release isn’t ultra-aged. As cringey as toxic nerdom is, in whiskey circles their attitude is often a benefit to the rest of is, because if they aren’t buying bottles like Parker’s Heritage 10 Year Old Cask Strength Rye, that leaves more for those who are less hidebound and do want it.

This edition ends a recent run of the collection experimenting with heavy char and double new oak aged whiskeys, and reverts to basics. It’s simply a 10 year old rye, derived from the same stock as Rittenhouse and Pikesville ryes. The whiskey was barreled in 2012 (which makes me smile, since that is after this website was founded) and aged in Rickhouses H1 and H2, the fifth floor of Rickhouse FF, the third and seventh floors of Rickhouse BB and the second floor of Rickhouse DD. It’s bottled unfiltered at a potent cask strength of 128.8 proof.

The Whiskey
Even with a generous helping of water, the color on this whiskey is a deep, reddened-orange bronze. I tried some on the rocks (it is still late summer as I write this), and watching the cold bring out the oils in the unfiltered whiskey was a delight; there was quite a bit of oiliness in there.

As a Kentucky rye, the nose is subdued rather than spicy. Instead, the scent is thick with melted brown sugar and caramel, and the spicy current is much more herbs and cookie spices than peppery, although a grain of pepper is there. As for the palate, it has a baked apple with cookie-spiced crumbles character at its core, but one seasoned heavily with spearmint. Again, a grain of pepper is there, but this is a well-matured Kentucky rye, so nobody should be look to it for big, bold peppery notes. The finish turns earthy, drawing cocoa and coconut notes to the fore that were wholly absent before now, giving the close some complexity.

The Price
Officially, this release goes for $185 a bottle. My opinion is that is a bit much for what this installment actually is, but even scarier is what retailers will do with it. Last year’s edition is currently fetching an average of $890 a bottle with retailers (as in licensed sellers, not the black market). If $185 is high for a 10 year old, cask strength Kentucky rye, then almost a thousand dollars is far too high.

Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series 10 Review

Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series 10 is a blend of mature bourbons, the majority being from Kentucky. It has a rich flavor profile complemented by a dry and spicy finish. Learn all about it in our review!
The post Bardstown Bourbon Company Dis…

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Mersey Craft Spirits Rye Review

Mersey Craft Spirits Rye is a blend of high and low rye mash bills, distilled and aged in North Carolina, and bottled in Alabama. So what’s it like? Read our review to find out!
The post Mersey Craft Spirits Rye Review appeared first on Bourbon Obsesse…

Mersey Craft Spirits Rye is a blend of high and low rye mash bills, distilled and aged in North Carolina, and bottled in Alabama. So what's it like? Read our review to find out!

The post Mersey Craft Spirits Rye Review appeared first on Bourbon Obsessed℠ .

Union Horse Reserve Bourbon Review

Union Horse Reserve Bourbon is made from a sour mash of corn and rye, aged for 5+ years in Missouri oak, and is non-chill filtered. Want to learn more? Then read our full review!
The post Union Horse Reserve Bourbon Review appeared first on Bourbon Obs…

Union Horse Reserve Bourbon is made from a sour mash of corn and rye, aged for 5+ years in Missouri oak, and is non-chill filtered. Want to learn more? Then read our full review!

The post Union Horse Reserve Bourbon Review appeared first on Bourbon Obsessed℠ .

Isle of Skye 21 Year Old Scotch Review

By Richard Thomas Rating: B+ Ian Macleod Distillers is one of those fixtures of the Scotch industry that the average, casual drinker (even Scotch drinker) has never heard of. That is nothing to be ashamed of; I’d put down some money that 9 out of 10 of the folks who know what The Macallan is …

By Richard Thomas

Rating: B+

Isle of Skye 21 Year Old Blended Whisky
(Credit: Ian Macleod Distillers)

Ian Macleod Distillers is one of those fixtures of the Scotch industry that the average, casual drinker (even Scotch drinker) has never heard of. That is nothing to be ashamed of; I’d put down some money that 9 out of 10 of the folks who know what The Macallan is have never heard of the parent company, Edrington. Founded over 80 years ago and still a family company after all that time, these are the folks who make Smokehead, Sheep Dip and Pig’s Nose, as well as Glengoyne and Tamdhu.

The company is also behind the expansive line of Isle of Skye blended whisky. Although named for the famous Scottish island, the grain and malt whiskies sourced to make it are largely from the mainland, although some malt from Skye is utilized. The 21 year old sits in the middle of this range, separating the truly ultra-aged whiskies farther up the latter from the entry level and middle rungs beneath it. I think that is best reflected in the price point, almost double what the 18 Year Old expression costs.

The Scotch
This coppered dram has a faint scent and requires some deep nosing to develop fully, but one that mirrored some recent hikes when I took it into hand. Coupled to the standards of malted honey and toffee was a collection of elements that reminded me of being on the dried, late summer prairie: wildflowers, dry grass and a hint of exposed earth.

That earthy element turns nutty on the palate. The honey and toffee, the sweet side, becomes a baked peach with treacle and brown sugar dish, and the rest of the field side turns to pepper and a hint of smoke. The finish runs in dry wood and pepper, but this is a light touch.

Overall, this is a supremely smooth, silky sweet and easy drinking pour, and it is a real step up from the unimpressive 18 Year Old. One might expect an older Scotch like this to have a complex character, and Isle of Skye 21 Year Old is not really all that sophisticated, but that makes it an approachable, wonderful sipper.

The Price
The recommended price tag for this bottle is $114.99.

Union Horse Rolling Standard Four Grain Whiskey Review

Union Horse Rolling Standard Four Grain Whiskey is a unique blend of an American Single Malt Whiskey and a Wheated Bourbon. This blend results in a mash bill of 45% corn, 20% wheat, 20% malted barley and 15% rye. The whiskey further ages in both new an…

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Barrell Bourbon Batch 035 Review

By Randall H. Borkus Rating: B+ Barrell Craft Spirits has two new expressions: Barrell Bourbon Batch 035 and Rye Batch 004. The latter has been a few years in coming, since Barrell Rye Batch 003 was released back in 2020, but I’ll start with the bourbon. Barrell Bourbon Batch 035 is a blend that consists …

By Randall H. Borkus

Rating: B+

Barrell Bourbon 035
(Credit: Randall H. Borkus)

Barrell Craft Spirits has two new expressions: Barrell Bourbon Batch 035 and Rye Batch 004. The latter has been a few years in coming, since Barrell Rye Batch 003 was released back in 2020, but I’ll start with the bourbon.

Barrell Bourbon Batch 035 is a blend that consists of sourced bourbon whiskey consisting of 6, 7, and 8 years old from Indiana, 7 and 13 years old from Tennessee, and 8 years old from Kentucky. This blend is bottled in Kentucky at 117.5 proof cask strength with a production run of 19,062 bottles. Since 6 years is the youngest bourbon in the mix, the age statement is pegged to it. The aggregated mash bill is 78% corn, 18% rye and 4% malted barley.

It’s already won many awards, and I must admit they really hit the mark here. This is delicious bourbon whiskey that is rich, complex and simply enjoyable.

The Bourbon
The color is a dark, caramelized amber in my Glencairn. The whiskey holds on to the sides of my glass like a slender syrup.

The front palate is full of oak influences and dry cinnamon-chocolate sprinkles, with a dusting of Ancho chiles. Then the mid and back palate opens with a dry citrus fruitiness and intense earthy sugars. The finish holds a sugared coconut followed by more cinnamon-chocolate spiciness and oak notes.

Overall, this is a good bourbon whiskey that really shows off Barrel Craft Spirits’ flawless craftsmanship in blending, as well as their ingenious creativity.

The Price
Suggested retail is $84.99 and well worth it.

Four Roses 135th Anniversary Edition Small Batch Bourbon Review (2023)

By Richard Thomas Rating: A- For its 16th release of the annual limited edition of Four Roses Small Batch, the Lawrenceburg, Kentucky distillery is also marking its 135th brand anniversary. That’s right: although the distillery dates to 1910 (and is thus a historic site in its own right), the brand goes all the way back …

By Richard Thomas

Rating: A-

Four Roses 135th Anniversary Small Batch Bourbon
(Credit: Kirin)

For its 16th release of the annual limited edition of Four Roses Small Batch, the Lawrenceburg, Kentucky distillery is also marking its 135th brand anniversary. That’s right: although the distillery dates to 1910 (and is thus a historic site in its own right), the brand goes all the way back to 1888. For this noteworthy event, Small Batch 2023 incorporates some of the oldest bourbon the company has ever used to make anything.

That oldest ever liquid is a 25 year old OBSV, making up some 5% of the blend. The rest of the bourbons used cover more familiar ground for the Four Roses diehard: 14 year old OESK (40%), 12 year old OESV (35%) and 16 year old OESV (20%). The result was bottled at 108 proof, with a production run of just a hair over 15,000 bottles.

The Bourbon
Despite it’s well-aged pedigree and relatively high proof, the pour takes on a bright, middle amber look. In fact, that look seems to be present in the bottle too, if the pictures are anything to go by, but I haven’t actually laid eyes on a full bottle in person.

My nosing of the Small Batch led with butterscotch and toasted graham crackers, but a potent current of oak, vanilla and baking spices ran hard up behind it. Repeated nosing drew out a modest note of apple, which combined with the other elements makes it kind of like a dish of baked apple with butterscotch drizzle and graham cracker crumble, served in warmed oaken bowl.

The palate follows in much the same vein, but the apples are joined by a pairing of coconut and almond notes. Again, these fruity and nutty elements are not there in the forefront, and require some chewing and chasing to bring out. When I added some ice later on, I found the chill and water brought the caramelized aspect of the bourbon out more. The finish opens with cinnamon and nutmeg, fading to oak.

I didn’t come away thinking this particular Four Roses Small Batch LE had oodles of wow factor, but it brought together its various elements into a well-balanced, well-developed package, and showcases what middle aged Four Roses recipes are all about very well. It goes without saying that Four Roses fans should chase after a bottle ardently, but as for bourbon enthusiasts more generally… well, for this summer limited edition release period, if you can only afford to snag one bottle, I can’t say if this should be the one because I haven’t tried the 2023 Parker’s Heritage yet. It’s a contender, but not a knockout champion.

The Price
Officially, this bottle goes for $199.99.

Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled Rye Whiskey Review

By Richard Thomas Rating: B+ First off, the formal title of this whiskey is quite a mouthful, so forgive me for not using the every single word in the title of the article: Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled Special Release Heritage Barrel Rye Whiskey. Still, I don’t think that sentence-length title is necessary to either identify …

By Richard Thomas

Rating: B+

Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled Special Release Heritage Barrel Rye Whiskey
(Credit: Brown-Forman)

First off, the formal title of this whiskey is quite a mouthful, so forgive me for not using the every single word in the title of the article: Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled Special Release Heritage Barrel Rye Whiskey. Still, I don’t think that sentence-length title is necessary to either identify or categorize this particular bottle. The major points are right there in my abridged version: it’s Jack Daniel’s rye, which means it is a very not Kentucky style, 70% rye content whiskey; and it has seen both primary and secondary maturation (i.e. finished) in new oak barrels. That first and standard stint of maturation was at least five years long, while the second for a particularly lengthy two years. The rye is bottled at 100 proof.

The heritage barrel becomes important only after its understood this is part of what I like to call the double new oak category of American whiskeys. When Jack Daniel’s does a heritage barrel treatment, those are heavily toasted rather than charred. That is a tweak on what is otherwise the doubling down on new oak barrel aging, which is where so much of the vanilla/caramel and certain spice flavors come from. Generally speaking, double new oak whiskeys like this one make excellent dessert digestifs.

The Whiskey
The coloring on this pour is deep, dark, but still predominately reddish amber. The nose leads with a spicy current akin to Constant Comment tea (orange zest, clove, cinnamon plus the black tea tannins) with a cocktail cherry dropped and stirred in. Underneath this, however, is a layer of caramel so thick you could stand a spoon up in it. Similar elements come over on the palate, only in an even heavier, blanket of a manner: a slow-rolling avalanche of molasses and vanilla coupled to notes of citrus zest, dried red berries, clove, cinnamon and traces of other cookie spices, plus a little tannin. The extra dose of new oak is what sings loudest in the finish, which runs predominately sweet rather than spices.

The Price
Officially, this JD Rye is supposed to be $75 a bottle. That is a very reasonable price to ask for it too.