Redbreast Aged 12 Years Cask Strength Edition Irish Single Pot Still Whiskey (700ml)
Volume: 700mlABV: 57.6%Age: 12 YearsCountry: IrelandRegion: Midleton, County CorkCask Types: Bourbon-Seasoned American Oak Barrels and Oloroso Sherry-Seasoned Spanish Oak ButtsWhiskey Type: Single Pot Still Irish WhiskeyDistillation: Triple-Distilled Copper Pot StillsBottling Strength: Cask StrengthRelease: Batch-ProducedStyle: Powerful, Fruity, Spiced and Sherry-Rich
The Whiskey
Redbreast Aged 12 Years Cask Strength Irish Single Pot Still Whiskey presents the celebrated Redbreast 12 year old character at its natural, full-flavoured strength.
Produced from malted and unmalted barley, the spirit is triple distilled in copper pot stills at Midleton Distillery before maturation in bourbon-seasoned American oak barrels and Oloroso sherry seasoned Spanish oak butts.
Cask-strength bottling intensifies every element of the classic Redbreast profile. Orchard and tropical fruit become richer, the sherry influence becomes darker and the signature pot-still spices gain considerably more power.
Vanilla, dried apricots and sultanas lead into stewed fruit, toasted nuts, ginger, cinnamon and creamy barley. Water can be added gradually to reveal additional citrus, honey and softer fruit.
The current presentation is bottled at 57.6% ABV. As this expression is assembled in batches and released at cask strength, the precise ABV may change between releases.
Our Tasting Notes
On the eye, deep amber with copper, polished gold and mahogany highlights.
The nose opens with ripe apple, pear and dried apricot. Sultanas, orange peel and stewed plums follow, accompanied by vanilla, honey, toasted almonds and polished oak. Cinnamon, nutmeg and fresh ginger become more prominent as the whiskey rests.
On the palate, it is powerful, oily and richly textured. Baked apple, dark berries and sherry-soaked raisins lead into vanilla custard, digestive biscuits and caramel. Ginger, cardamom, cinnamon and pepper provide an energetic middle before toasted oak and sweet barley restore balance.
The finish is long and warming, with fruit cake, creamy toffee, orange peel and pot-still spice gradually fading into toasted nuts, vanilla and drying oak.
Craftsmanship & Cask Maturation
Redbreast 12 Cask Strength begins with a traditional Irish mash containing both malted and unmalted barley.
Unmalted barley contributes creamy texture, cereal weight and the distinctive peppery spice associated with Irish single pot still whiskey. Malted barley provides the enzymes required during mashing while adding biscuit, honey and sweet grain flavours.
The fermented wash is triple-distilled in Midleton’s large copper pot stills. Triple distillation refines the spirit, but the Redbreast production style preserves enough oil and weight to support long maturation and high-strength bottling.
The whiskey matures for at least 12 years in two principal cask types:
- Bourbon-Seasoned American Oak Barrels: Vanilla, honey, caramel, orchard fruit and creamy sweetness
- Oloroso Sherry-Seasoned Spanish Oak Butts: Dried fruit, roasted nuts, baking spice and rich wine sweetness
The matured casks are selected and married before bottling without the substantial reduction used for standard-strength Redbreast 12.
At 57.6% ABV, the whiskey retains a greater concentration of alcohol-soluble flavour compounds and aromatic oils. This creates additional texture, intensity and length while allowing drinkers to control dilution in the glass.
The Global Review & Score
The Whisky Company Rating: 9.3/10 (September 2026)
Redbreast 12 Cask Strength is one of the clearest demonstrations of how higher strength can amplify rather than distort Irish pot-still character. Its fruit, sherry richness, creamy barley and spice remain beautifully balanced beneath the considerable power.
- Official Profile: Redbreast identifies complex fruit, spice and toasted wood on the nose, followed by a silky balance of fruit, sherry, spice and oak.
- Whisky Advocate: Awarded 96 points, praising its apple, pear, berries, vine fruit, chocolate, rich texture and extraordinary intensity.
- International Wine & Spirit Competition: Awarded 96 points in 2024, recognising apple sauce, honey, baked sponge, liquorice, sweetness and a spicy crescendo.
- New York World Spirits Competition: Earned a Double Gold Medal in 2024.
- San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Earned a Double Gold Medal in 2023.
- The Irish Whiskey Masters: Earned a Master Medal in 2023.
- International Spirits Challenge: Earned a Gold Medal in 2023.
- Fruit: Apples, pears, dried apricots, sultanas and dark berries remain vivid through the high alcohol strength.
- Texture: Oily, creamy and exceptionally substantial for a triple-distilled whiskey.
- Dilution: A small amount of water reveals additional plum, citrus, honey and sweet barley.
- Potential Divide: The cask strength will be excessive for drinkers who prefer softer whiskey without water.
- The Verdict: An outstanding high-strength Irish whiskey combining baked orchard fruit, dried apricots and sherry-soaked raisins with vanilla, creamy barley, ginger, cinnamon and a remarkably long finish.
