THIS WEEK’S POUR: REDBREAST 12 YEAR
When people find out that I am a Whisk(e)y Sommelier, I am usually asked one of two questions.
1) "So, like, what’s good?"
And my answer is pretty much, “Well, what do you like?” One thing that my spirits education has taught me is that there is no definition of “good whiskey”. Do YOU think it’s good? Then, congratulations! You have found a good whiskey.
Now are there whiskies that some judges and panels have deemed deserving of a medal or title? Certainly. But there are plenty of celebrated and sought-after bottles on the market that I could quite frankly not care less about. Tasty? Yeah. Tastier than over a dozen other easily attainable bottles? Yeah, not really….
2) "What’s your favorite whiskey?"
This question kind of drives me crazy. And at no fault of the person asking. I just don’t have one. Or maybe it should be: I don’t just have one. I can find something to celebrate in any bottle. I’ve had pours from bottles that cost $10. I’ve had pours from bottles that run over $1000. And you know what? I enjoyed them both heartily.
But for the purpose of this inaugural Flight Club release, I will admit that this one is what I consider my First Love. Redbreast 12 Year.
This was the whiskey that opened a very important door for me. This was the first pour that made me realize: “Wait… I can just drinkwhiskey.” I don’t have to shoot it. I don’t have to mix it. I can sit with it. I can taste it. I can actually enjoy it. That realization truly changed my life.
(Full disclosure: my first thought was actually a slightly more realistic “Oh, holy shit…”)
Redbreast 12 sent me down the rabbit hole that eventually turned into years of studying whiskey, collecting bottles, chasing down strange releases, and, well... everything you see when you walk into TRoLa. And a lot of behind the scenes that you don’t.
So, it seems only right that it gets its turn as our inaugural Club pour.
Redbreast 12 is a traditional Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, made with both malted and unmalted barley, triple distilled, and matured for at least 12 years in bourbon and sherry casks.
It’s approachable enough to welcome you in, but intriguing enough that you can keep finding something new in the glass.
At least, that’s what happened to me.
If whiskey has never quite clicked for you, give my First Love a chance.
You never know where one pour might lead.
FLIGHT CLUB PERK:
Every month, a curated Whiskey Flight is included in your Flight Club subscription as well as special pricing on our Whiskey of the Week.
This week only (August 31-September 5), members get $5 OFF a pour of Redbreast 12 Year.
Not a member? No worries! Redbreast 12 is a staple on our shelves, so you can still get your hands on a dram.
Want to sign up? Just follow this link
Redbreast 12 Year Awards:
Gold: Irish Single Pot Still – Premium 2020 (The Irish Whiskey Masters)
Gold Outstanding: Irish Whiskey – Single Pot Still 2019 (International Wine & Spirits Competition)
Master: Irish Single Pot Still – Premium 2019 (The Irish Whiskey Masters)
Gold: Irish Single Pot Still – Premium 2017 (The Irish Whiskey Masters)
Gold: Irish Pot Still Whiskey 12 Years & Under 2014 (World Whiskey Awards)
Silver: Irish Whiskey – 2014 (Wizards of Whiskey Awards)
Gold: Irish Single Pot Still – Premium 2014 (The Irish Whiskey Masters)
Silver Outstanding: Irish Whiskey – Single Pot Still 2011(International Wine & Spirits Competition)
Winner: Best Irish Pot Still 2013 (World Whiskies Awards)
Gold: Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey 2013 (San Francisco WorldSpirits Competition)
Silver Outstanding: Irish Whiskey – Single Pot Still 2013 (International Wine & Spirits Competition)
Silver: Irish Single Pot Still 2013 (The Irish Whiskey Masters)
Distillery Notes:
Nose: A complex and fruity aroma with toasted wood notes
Palate: Full-flavored and complex. Silky smooth with a harmonious balance of spicy, fruity, sherry, & toasted notes
Finish: Satisfyingly long. The complex flavors linger on the palate.
To learn more about this label and see what other expressions they offer (almost all of which we carry....), click the link below!
