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Everything you need to know about Redbreast Distillery
Most popular bottles from the distillery
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Redbreast 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey Birdlife International£79.99 Inc VAT -
Redbreast 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey Cask Strength - Batch B1/21£124.99 Inc VAT
A brief History
Redbreast, Ireland. Founded in early 1900s.
Redbreast is one of the most respected names in Irish whiskey, known for producing classic single pot still whiskey. The brand traces its origins back to the early 1900s, when wine merchant W. & A. Gilbey began bottling whiskey sourced from distilleries in Ireland. One of these whiskies eventually became known as Redbreast, a name inspired by the robin bird.
The whiskey itself was traditionally produced at the Midleton Distillery in County Cork, where many of Ireland’s most famous whiskeys are made today. Redbreast is considered one of the purest examples of the single pot still style — a uniquely Irish category made from a mix of malted and unmalted barley distilled in copper pot stills.
For many whiskey drinkers, Redbreast represents the classic character of traditional Irish whiskey: rich, smooth, and full of flavour.
Taste Profile
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Spicy |
Fruit | Rich / Chocolately |
Redbreast is known for its rich and complex flavour profile. Dried fruits and honey sweetness appear early, followed by creamy vanilla and warming spice from oak maturation.
The pot still production method gives the whiskey a fuller texture than many lighter Irish whiskeys. You may notice flavours of raisins, baking spice, and toasted oak, with a long and slightly creamy finish.
Top 4 Flavour Profile Ingredients
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Dried Fruits (Raisins, Figs, Dates) |
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Cinnamon / Clove |
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Honey |
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Vanilla |
Most Popular Bottles
Redbreast 12 Year Old
The flagship expression and a benchmark for Irish single pot still whiskey.
Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength
A higher-strength version of the classic release, offering more intensity and depth.
Redbreast 15 Year Old
A richer and slightly more mature expression with deeper fruit and spice notes.
Redbreast 21 Year Old
A premium release showing complex dried fruit, oak, and spice.
These expressions form the core of the Redbreast whiskey range.
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The Distillery
The Distiller: Redbreast Whiskey at Midleton Distillery
Address: Distillery Walk, Townparks, Midleton, Co. Cork, P25 Y394, Ireland
 Open in Maps |
 www.redbreastwhiskey.com/en |
 +353 21 461 3594 |
Visitor Centre & Opening Times
Yes — visitors can explore the whiskey at the Jameson Midleton Distillery Experience.
Typical opening hours
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Daily
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Around 10:00 – 17:00
Tours cover the history of Irish whiskey and the production of several well-known brands including Redbreast.
Ownership History
Historic Bottler
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W. & A. Gilbey
Modern Producer
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Irish Distillers
Current Owner
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Pernod Ricard
The brand remains one of the most respected examples of Irish single pot still whiskey.
Distillery Facts
Overview & History
Redbreast is one of the most famous examples of Irish single pot still whiskey, a traditional Irish style made from a mix of malted and unmalted barley distilled in copper pot stills.
The brand dates back to the early 1900s when wine merchant W. & A. Gilbey sourced pot still whiskey from what is now Midleton Distillery and bottled it under the Redbreast name. The brand survived the decline of Irish whiskey during the mid-20th century and was eventually acquired by Irish Distillers.
Today Redbreast is produced at Midleton Distillery in County Cork and is widely regarded as one of the flagship expressions of traditional Irish pot still whiskey.
Production
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Category: Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
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Distillery: Midleton Distillery, County Cork
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Mash Bill: Malted and unmalted barley
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Distillation: Triple distilled in copper pot stills
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Cask Policy: Combination of ex-bourbon barrels and Oloroso sherry casks
The use of unmalted barley alongside malted barley creates the distinctive texture and spice associated with pot still whiskey.
Whisky Style
Redbreast whiskey typically shows:
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Rich, full-bodied texture
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Honey and vanilla sweetness
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Dried fruit and sherry richness
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Nutty malt character
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Soft pot still spice
Compared with lighter Irish blends, Redbreast is deeper and more complex due to its pot still production and sherry cask influence.
Key Expressions
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Redbreast 12 Year Old – Core flagship expression
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Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength – Higher proof version
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Redbreast 15 Year Old – Richer maturation
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Redbreast 21 Year Old – Premium aged expression
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Redbreast Lustau Edition – Finished in sherry casks from Bodegas Lustau
These releases highlight different levels of maturation and cask influence.
Significance
Redbreast is often considered the benchmark for Irish single pot still whiskey, a style unique to Ireland. Its survival during the period when Irish whiskey production nearly disappeared helped preserve this traditional method.
Today it remains one of the most respected Irish whiskeys globally and a key example of the revival of premium Irish whiskey.
Redbreast Whiskey to Buy
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