Redbreast has unveiled the fifth bottling in its Dream Cask series – a 30-year-old single pot still whiskey known as the Double Edition. Only 714 bottles of the Irish whiskey will be made available.
Master blender Billy Leighton and blender Dave McCabe married two dream casks to create the limited edition 30-year-old, having each selected their favorite barrel from Midleton’s inventory. Leighton selected a first-fill oloroso Sherry butt that was originally laid down in May 1990. McCabe, meanwhile, chose a first-fill Bourbon barrel that was laid down in November 1991. The casks were then combined.
“Bottling these outstanding casks together at precisely the right moment has resulted in an incredibly complex Irish whiskey that harmoniously balances the vanilla sweetness and caramel creaminess from the Bourbon barrel and the deep, dark fruitiness from the Sherry butt,” commented Leighton. “With an ABV of 56.9%, the resulting liquid is rich in robust spice with wood-driven characteristics and notes of dark-roasted coffee, sweet liquorice, orange peel and smoked almonds amplified by the wine cask’s influence.”
“The traditional Redbreast style is so often associated with the influence of Sherry casks that we sometimes overlook the role Bourbon casks play in its composition,” said McCabe. “I am honoured to have been able to select my perfectly aged dream Bourbon cask for this year’s Dream Cask and to pay homage to that unbeatable harmony that makes Redbreast so special.”
On the nose, Redbreast Dream Cask Double Edition offers aromas of autumnal fruits, black cherry, hazelnut, and tobacco. The palate delivers honey, liquorice and coffee, complementing the pot still spices. The finish is long and rich, with a balance of fruits and oak.
“We are incredibly fortunate that we have the variety of aged stock at Midleton Distillery to explore and make our dreams a reality,” added McCabe. “Sharing our discovery with whiskey drinkers across the world is one of the most exciting and joyful aspects of my role to date.”
The 714 bottles will be available exclusively through an online ballot hosted on the brand’s private members’ club, The Birdhouse, at a price of €550 ($583 USD).
The ballot will be open from May 23, for entries from Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, England, Scotland, and Wales. The ballot will close on May 30.
Last year, Redbreast unveiled the fourth release in its Dream Cask series, the Oloroso Sherry Edition.
In September, Redbreast launched its Iberian Series with the release of its Pedro Ximénez Edition.
