I've Tasted Hundreds of Whiskeys. This Smooth Bottle Is One of the Best Values on Store Shelves

Premium Irish whiskey is on an absolute tear. According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, this segment of high-end spirits has grown by over 1,150 percent over the past 20 years. And Redbreast is at the tip of that Celtic spear.

Throughout the 21st century, Redbreast has asserted itself as the ultimate example of “single pot still whiskey,” an earthy-yet-fruity style made from both malted and unmalted barley that’s unique to the Emerald Isle.

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Connoisseurs clamor over limited releases of the liquid, shelling out hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars for bottles bearing extended statements of age. But the entry-level 12-year-old class, meanwhile, is nothing to scoff at. In fact, this tends to be where you'll find a complex dram that epitomizes the house style, offering a creamy, textured balance between baking spice and fresh spring berries.

Being that it’s the most accessibly priced iteration—typically retailing at $60—Redbreast 12 equally appeals to newcomers and seasoned pros. Deservedly so. As such, some will claim it’s one of the best value buys in all of Irish whiskey. We’re willing to go a step further. This is one of the best buys in all of Irish whiskey. Full stop.

Related: The 23 Best Irish Whiskeys of 2024

Redbreast 12 Irish Whiskey at a Glance

• Bottom Line: Redbreast 12 is an approachable take on single pot still Irish, readily available for an affordable $60 per bottle.
• Casks: Bourbon and sherry
• Still: Triple distilled through a series of large copper pot stills
• Proof: 40 percent ABV, 80 proof
• Age: 12 years
• Mash Bill: 50 percent malted barley, 50 percent unmalted barley
• Appearance: Dark amber, crimson when observed through its emerald-tinted bottle
• Nose: Caramel, toffee, nutmeg, orange peel
• Mouthfeel: Creamy, buttery
• Taste: Cream soda, raspberry, ginger
• Finish: Honey and a spot of licorice and linseed

Redbreast 12 Irish Whiskey Pros and Cons

Redbreast 12 Irish Whisky Review

Redbreast 12 pours a light orange-amber into the snifter. As it sits, it reveals candied fruit along with a floral perfume in its initial aromas. Let it sit a bit longer to get a whiff of toffee and almond. 

The body of the juice is defined by a lush creaminess. It covers the palate and spreads sugar cookies, followed by nutmeg-dusted berries. An unexpected earthiness from the liquid doesn’t resolve itself until the finish, where licorice-flavored Twizzler nibs temper some of the honeyed sweetness before it all quickly fades. This contrast from start to finish is an adventurous joyride in each sip.

“Redbreast 12 doesn't just warm your belly, it warms the soul, with a finish that lingers like a sunset on the Cliffs of Moher,” says Dan Dunn, spirits author and host of the What We’re Drinking podcast. “It's a full-bodied spirit that asserts, without a hint of doubt, that Irish whiskey can show just as much depth and finesse as the finest Scotch or bourbon. Sláinte to a true Irish treasure that’s more than just a whiskey—it's a work of art in a glass."

Personally speaking, Redbreast was my first true love within the Irish whiskey category. I had spent many years sipping perfectly serviceable examples of the spirit, but nothing that stoked passion. It all changed one fateful afternoon in a convivial pub on the remote Irish isle of Inishmore.

There, beside the fireplace of the dimly lit lounge, a local shared a pour from her favorite bottle. It happened to be Redbreast 12. The soothing warmth of the dram mimicked the crackling embers from the hearth.

Any time I uncork a bottle of Redbreast 12, I'm instantly transported back to that moment—when Irish whiskey became a true standout.

But you don't need some transatlantic memory to appreciate what this expression offers. No matter who you are, or where you’ve been, it promises some measure of unspoken nostalgia in every glass.

How to Drink Redbreast 12 Irish Whiskey

The answer here is always: "Any damn way you please." Wanna mix Redbreast 12 with Coke over ice? You do you. But if you’re a fan of elevated cocktails, we suggest subbing it out for American whiskey in your next old fashioned or Manhattan. 

For those who prefer sipping spirits solo, Redbreast 12 goes down incredibly easy. At 80 proof, it's the bare minimum alcohol percentage allowable for whiskey. So there’s really no need to water this one down. Ice cubes only truncate the spicy and earthy elements of an already short finish. 

Conversely, if you’re eager for more oomph, check out Redbreast 12 Cask Strength as a worthwhile alternative.

How Is Redbreast 12 Irish Whiskey Made?

As a distinct style, Irish single pot still whiskey has been crafted in largely the same way since 1785. That’s when the British Crown introduced a tax on malted barley, and innovative Irish distillers began adding a large percentage of unmalted grain into the mash in order to sidestep the price hike. 

Redbreast relies on a 50/50 mash bill—that is, half malted and half unmalted barley. After several days of fermentation, the resulting “distiller’s beer” is fed into a massive copper wash still. The heated vessel sends up alcohol vapors to its narrow neck, where they are eventually recondensed at a volume of around 40 percent. The process is repeated through a second “feint” still, and a third “spirits” still until it stands at 85 percent alcohol by volume. 

The liquid then fills ex-bourbon and sherry-seasoned casks where it slumbers (and patiently extracts the majority of its flavors from the oak) for a minimum of 12 years.

“That where the real magic happens,” says Joel Harrison, coauthor of In Fine Spirits. “Redbreast 12 is a wonderfully matured, weighty spirit which stands firm in the face of sherry maturation.”

Afterward, a selection of whiskeys from those casks are blended together to the specifications of head blender Billy Leighton before they're bottled and ready for sale.

If You Like Redbreast 12, You'll Also Like...

Teeling Pot Still Irish Whiskey

“People often think of Irish whisky as ‘light,’ but Redbreast’s pot still distillation makes their 12 year pleasingly robust and complex,” says Aaron Goldfarb, author of Dusty Booze. “This non-age-statement alternative from Teeling follows a similar playbook, but also brandishes a beautiful bouquet of floral top notes that I find enjoyable."

Redbreast 12 Cask Strength

“For any true Redbreast 12 fan, this option is eventually inevitable,” Goldfarb says of the boozier (at 56% alcohol by volume) sibling bottle. “Everything you love about the original, dialed up to triple-digit proof. Redbreast 12 Cask Strength is absolute fire. But without the burn of any significant up-charge.”

Yellow Spot 12 Year Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey

When you are ready to brave a significant up-charge, however, Yellow Spot 12 is the one you’ll want to open your wallet for. An eminently complex portrayal of the single pot still style, it subdues an initial sweetness from orchard fruit with savory tones of coffee, green tea, red bell pepper, and fresh cut grass. An elongated finish returns to confection in the form of creme brûlée. Appetizer, entree, and dessert—all in one mere measure of spirit.

Why You Should Trust Me

I'm an award-winning spirits writer and presenter, who judges for some of the world’s premiere booze competitions. I generally taste around 500 whiskeys in any given year and have been a full-time journalist in the space for over a decade.

The authors I interviewed for this piece are among the most acclaimed scribes from their respective corners of the globe. They're always drinking great whiskey—as a matter of professional responsibility, of course. 

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