Redbreast shows sherry influence in new blend

To celebrate the sherry influence found throughout the distillery's single pot still irish whiskies, Redbreast has introduced a permanent new expression; Redbreast Lustau. Finished in first-fill sherry butts, the expression is seasoned with oloroso sherry from Bodegas Lustau in Jerez Spain.

Matured initially in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-oloroso sherry casks, Redbreast Lustau Edition has been finished for one year in prized sherry butts from Bodegas Lustau in Jerez, the sherry capital of the world.

The result is a new interpretation of the signature Redbreast character with a distinctive twist; Redbreast Lustau Edition is described as offering a nose of dark fruits, prunes and marzipan, a rich and creamy texture on the palate with iconic Redbreast spices, and a long, sweet finish complemented by notes of Spanish oak and oloroso sherry.

Crafted by Midleton head blender, Billy Leighton, Redbreast Lustau Edition is a permanent addition to the Redbreast range. Bottled at 46% ABV and without chill-filtration, Redbreast Lustau Edition is available from this month at the following RRPs; Canada, $90; France, €65; Ireland, €69; and UK, £55. It will also be available in the US from October 1, 2016 at RRP US$69.

On the launch of Redbreast Lustau Edition, Leighton comments: “With Redbreast Lustau Edition we seized the opportunity to celebrate the iconic sherry influence on the Redbreast range, and to do this we turned to our old friends at Bodegas Lustau to source the finest Oloroso sherry casks in the world. I am honoured to be able to finally reveal Redbreast Lustau Edition to the world as it represents the mutual bond, based on our commitment to excellence in craftsmanship, which we have built over time with Bodegas Lustau. Language is no barrier to this marriage of Spanish and Irish craft, and the result is an exceptional new single pot still Irish whisky that champions the iconic sherry influence of the Redbreast range, and I hope that whisky drinkers the world over enjoy it.”

Brendan Buckley, global innovation and prestige whisky portfolio director at Irish Distillers, adds: “We are delighted to introduce a fifth, permanent expression to the Redbreast range as it demonstrates the appetite among whisky connoisseurs and spirits afficionados alike for new, innovative and diverse Irish whisky offerings. Since we re-launched the brand in 2011, it has gone from strength to strength and we are committed to spreading word of Redbreast around the world as the Irish whisky renaissance continues.

“Our work on Redbreast is part of a wider commitment from Irish Distillers to lead the revival of the quintessential single pot still irish whisky style and Irish whisky in general, to educate whisky fans about the breadth and quality that the category has to offer.”

20 September 2016 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, editorial assistant