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Six Bars To Tell The Bold Story Of Powers Whiskey & Its Dublin History!

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Six bars collaborate to tell the bold story of Powers and its Dublin history

Powers Irish Whiskey, which is made by Irish Distillers in Midleton Distillery, has unveiled the Powers Quarter; a collaboration between six Dublin bars that each tell a different chapter of Powers’ Bold Character and its illustrious Dublin whiskey history since 1791.

The six bars lie within walking distance of the old John’s Lane distillery and original Powers bottling hall on Drury Street. The initiative aims to celebrate the historic Powers neighbourhood by bringing to life the bars’ historic links to the brand through Powers-educated bartenders, point-of-sale and signature serves inspired by the unique story of Powers. The Powers Quarter covers the following key Dublin accounts; Thomas House, Market Bar, The Oak, The Swan, Idlewild and John Fallons The Capstan Bar.

The Powers Quarter is supported by social media, PR and a dedicated website on which whiskey fans can a download map and take a virtual tour. The journey is free to participate in for Irish whiskey fans and will also be used by Powers for educational visits with the trade, bartenders and distributors from around the world and within the Pernod Ricard network. There’s also an option to do a guided tour with the Powers global ambassador, Michael Carr, for €60.

For generations, the Powers distillery at John’s Lane shaped the development of the area around it through the direct employment of families, provision of houses for workers and even the maintenance of the local streets. While Powers went on to become a global success story over the past two hundred years, its heart always remained in Dublin and its public houses over the years.

In fact, Powers’ founder, James Powers, was a publican himself and his pub on John’s Lane stayed within the family until the closure of the distillery in the 1970s, so it only seems right that we honour the legacy of Powers and bring more of its Dublin history to light through six bars and put Powers firmly back on the whiskey map of Dublin. Across the Powers Quarter, Irish whiskey connoisseurs and casual fans alike can enjoy a sip back in time and learn about the true character of the Powers family as purveyors of Irish whiskey – and with whiskey tourism in Dublin booming to almost 400,000 visitors last year, we are confident that the Powers Quarter will enchant a whole new generation of whiskey fans.
– Carol Quinn: Archivist at Irish Distillers

About the Powers Quarter

The Powers Quarter experience consists of the following bars, historical facts and signature serves:
Thomas House, Thomas Street – a stone’s throw from John’s Lane, this modern-day dive bar is where many workers from the distillery would have dropped into for a drop of whiskey after work
Signature serve: Powers Gold Label neat
Market Bar, Fade Street – one of Dublin’s most popular gastropubs, on the site of the original Powers bottling hall, which was built in 1889 and shipped Powers Irish Whiskey around the world
Signature serve: Powers cocktail menu inspired by the workers of the bottling hall
The Oak, Parliament Street – the bar at this cosy pub in the bustling Temple Bar area has been fitted out with panels from the luxury liner ‘Mauretania’, which used to cross the Atlantic, and where Powers was the drink of choice – you could even have a glass delivered to your cabin
Signature serve: Powers Irish coffee
The Swan, York Street – a family-run pub that has supplied the locals with Powers for more than a hundred years – some of the historic Powers barrel heads can still be seen inside the bar counter today
Signature serve: Powers John’s Lane neat
Idlewild, Fade Street – a friendly neighbourhood bar and the site on which the first ever miniature spirit bottle in the world was invented by POWERS back in 1889
Signature serve: Powers Up cocktail
John Fallons The Capstan Bar, The Coombe – a Dublin institution, where workers from the John’s Lane distillery could have enjoyed a whiskey a Century ago – its original Victorian fixtures and Powers mirror still reflect the area’s rich history today
Signature serve: two Powers Three Swallow neat, toasted special and crisps to share

Jameson Distillery Bow St. Named World’s Leading Distillery Tour!

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Jameson Bow St

Irish Distillers has today announced that Jameson Distillery Bow St. was named the World’s Leading Distillery Tour at the World Travel Awards Gala Ceremony in Lisbon on December 1st. The finalist list included Macallan, Hennessy, Jack Daniels and Jose Cuervo. The win follows the announcement of Jameson Distillery Bow Street as ‘Europe’s Leading Distillery Tour 2018’ at the European Travel Awards in July.

L-R: Greg Hughes, John Carroll and Ray Dempsey – Jameson Distillery Bow St

Jameson Distillery Bow St. reopened in March 2017 following an €11M refurbishment, with visitor numbers topping more than 350,000 in the first year making it the most-visited whiskey experience in the world. Bow St. draws on brand immersion and theatre to complement the iconic 230-year-old Dublin distillery creating a living, active space that engages guests in multi-sensorial experiences.

The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. The 25th World Travel Awards (WTA) Grand Final Gala Ceremony 2018 took place at Lisbon’s historic Pátio da Galé on 1st December 2018, with the leading decision-makers, figureheads and influencers of travel in attendance. The evening marked the climax of the WTA Grand Tour 2018 – an annual search for the finest travel and tourism organisations in the world, featuring the winners of WTA’s six regional ceremonies going head-to-head for the coveted World titles.

We are extremely humbled and honoured to be awarded this very special accolade. We embarked upon an ambitious renovation project in late 2016 and since we reopened the doors to Bow St. in March of 2017, the new-look Jameson Distillery experience has fast become the must-visit whiskey destination in the world.

We are proud that an experience in the heart of Smithfield that champions all that is great about Ireland and Irish whiskey has been commended on the world stage. This award is a fantastic recognition for the amazing team at Bow St. who provide each and every person that visits us with an unforgettable experience.
– Greg Hughes: Managing Director Jameson Brand Homes and Education at Irish Distillers

As well as being a highlight of Dublin’s tourism trail, the new look Jameson Distillery Bow St. in Smithfield is fast becoming the go-to place for locals to enjoy a Jameson. The distillery offers a range of interactive, fun and immersive experiences including the flagship distillery tour, a premium whiskey tasting experience, whiskey blending and cocktail making master classes – along with the opportunity to draw and taste whiskey straight from a cask. One of the city’s most unique event locations, Bow St. is also available for private use by evening.

To book tickets for Jameson Distillery Bow St., visit jamesonwhiskey.com

Billy Leighton Joins The Whisky Magazine Hall Of Fame!

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The Icons of Whiskey Ireland aim to recognise the diversity and passion within the Irish whiskey industry today

Billy Leighton, Master Blender at Midleton distillery, has been inducted into the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame in a special ceremony at The Dean Hotel, Dublin. Billy was bestowed the great honour in recognition of his 42 years in the industry and contribution to the growth of the Irish whiskey category with Irish Distillers.

Billy was bestowed the great honour in recognition of his 42 years in the industry

The Icons of Whiskey Ireland aim to recognise the diversity and passion within the Irish whiskey industry today.

Billy Leighton is an Irish whiskey legend. His contribution to the revival of single pot still whiskey has re-shaped the Irish whiskey landscape and whiskey fans around the world owe him a debt of gratitude.

On behalf of Whisky Magazine, I’m delighted to welcome Billy into the Hall of Fame and look forward to seeing what he’s got up his sleeve next.
– Rob Allanson: Editor of Whisky Magazine

With almost a decade of experience as Master Blender behind him, Billy has diligently managed the mature stocks of Irish whiskey at Midleton Distillery in Co. Cork and used his logistical nous to forecast future demands.

Some of Billy’s finest triumphs have come in the past 10 years with the revival of the much-loved Redbreast whiskey amongst his greatest achievements. The launch of Redbreast Dream Cask in May 2018 has arguably been the crowning glory of his work with Ireland’s most famous single pot still whiskey and will be remembered as Billy’s dream whiskey.

I’m deeply honoured to join the pantheon of whiskey greats in the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame, not least an old mentor of mine, Barry Crockett. It has been a pleasure to watch Irish whiskey regain its rightful place amongst the world’s leading spirits and I hope I’ve been able to make a contribution to this.

Finally, I must thank the rest of the production team, past and present, whose dedication to craft and excellence has supported in the creation of some of the finest Irish whiskeys of all time, it’s been a pleasure and I look forward to what we can conjure up next.
– Billy Leighton

It is a pleasure to offer my congratulations to Billy Leighton upon his induction to the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame – he has been a true inspiration to Irish Distillers and the wider whiskey world over the course of his many years of dedicated service.

His commitment to crafting whiskey that is worthy of revitalising the category has inspired a whole new generation with Irish whiskey and for this we will be forever grateful. We doth our cap to Billy and raise a glass in tribute to our Master Blender.
– Conor McQuaid: Chief Executive Officer and Chairman at Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers was also honoured with a number of top accolades including Visitor Attraction of the Year and Irish Whiskey Producer of the year.

Irish Distillers Unveils Red Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey!

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Red Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey

Irish Distillers has unveiled Red Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. Last seen in the mid-1960s, this spicy new member of the Spot Whiskeys range offers whiskey drinkers further choice in the innovative super-premium Irish whiskey category.

“Crafted from an old recipe handed down by the Mitchell & Son family of wine merchants”

Crafted from an old recipe handed down by the Mitchell & Son family of wine merchants, the creators of the original Spot Whiskeys range in the early 1900s, the reimagined Red Spot is a triple-distilled, single pot still Irish whiskey that has been matured for a minimum of 15 years in a combination of casks pre-seasoned with Bourbon, Oloroso Sherry and Marsala fortified wine.

The highly-anticipated result commands attention with a full-bodied, complex and characterful flavour profile that will appeal to aficionados looking for a bold whiskey experience.

The Mitchell family worked closely with the craftsmen from Midleton Distillery throughout the collaboration. As part of the process, Marsala fortified wine casks were procured from Sicily in the early 2000s and then, in 2004, were filled with a five-year-old Bourbon matured single pot still Irish whiskey.

The subtle contribution from the tight grain of the American oak was the ideal base for the heavy spice and ripe fruit flavours imparted through maturation in Marsala wine casks, which has been carefully blended with ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry whiskeys to achieve the perfect balance of flavour.

Green Spot, Yellow Spot or Red Spot – you choose!

It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with the Mitchell family on the reimagination of Red Spot and bring a piece of Dublin’s rich whiskey history back to life. It has been 50 years since the world last saw Red Spot and whiskey enthusiasts have long awaited its return – this is a bold whiskey that packs a punch, has incredibly rich flavours and an extra-long infusion of fruits and spices on the finish that provides a truly unique and colourful ending.

We’re delighted to be able to offer this lost, but not forgotten whiskey, once again, and look forward to one day completing the full Spot Whiskeys range.
– Kevin O’Gorman: Master of Maturation at Midleton Distillery

The Mitchell family commenced trading in 1805 at 10 Grafton Street in the heart of Dublin as purveyors of fine wine and confectionery. In 1887, the business expanded into whiskey bonding whereby it sent empty wine and fortified wine casks to the local Jameson Distillery on Bow Street to be filled with new single pot still spirit for maturation in the Mitchell’s cellars.

The Red Spot name was derived from the Mitchell’s practice of marking their maturing casks of whiskey with a daub of coloured paint to determine the age potential of the whiskey; with a Blue Spot, Green Spot, Yellow Spot or Red Spot indicating 7, 10, 12 or 15 years respectively.

Four generations later, the company is still in the wine and spirits business under the stewardship of Jonathan Mitchell and his son Robert.

It has been fascinating to work with Kevin O’Gorman and the craftsmen at Midleton Distillery to recreate Red Spot and a real journey into the rich history of our family and its role in Dublin’s whiskey bonding era.

Pouring over old recipe books, ledgers and archive material has provided us with the tools to tell the story of Red Spot in a new, yet authentic way – and at almost one hundred years since it was crafted for the first time, by my great-grandfather Robert Mitchell, this is a whiskey homecoming for the ages. Indeed, everyone at Mitchell & Son is thrilled to see the red daub adorning a bottle once more.
– Jonathan Mitchell: Managing Director at Mitchell & Son

A spicy new member of the Spot Whiskeys range!

The release of Red Spot marks the next colourful chapter in the story of the Spot Whiskeys range, which is becoming increasingly popular among modern whiskey drinkers across Europe and the USA due to its focus on innovation, unique role in Dublin’s whiskey bonding history and world-renowned high quality.

Red Spot is a liquid time capsule that remembers our past while we look to the future and we are honoured that the people behind the original Spot Whiskeys, our partners at Mitchell & Son, are so supportive of our mission to return the range to its former glory.
– Brendan Buckley: Innovation & Prestige Whiskeys Director at Irish Distillers

Bottled at 46% ABV and without chill-filtration, Red Spot is re-introduced and available from this month at the RRP of €115 in Ireland and from January 2019 in the USA, UK, France and Global Travel Retail.

Tasting notes by Kevin O’Gorman, Master of Maturation at Midleton Distillery

Aroma: Pot still spices with rich cooked fruit, baked apple, mango and black cherry. Hazelnut and a touch of new leather fused with toasted American oak
Taste: A mix of ripe fruit sweetness from the Marsala seasoned wine casks. While the fruit remains, sweet red pepper and cracked black pepper add some spiciness, finished by notes of American oak and barley
Finish: An extra long infusion of fruits and spices

Red Spot is available to buy from these Whisky Merchants:-

Irish Distillers Announces Major €150 Million Investment Programme!

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More than €150 million is to be invested

Irish Distillers, one of Ireland’s leading suppliers of spirits and wines, has announced the investment of over €150 million in its sites in Cork and Dublin to meet demand for its products as the Irish whiskey renaissance continues apace.

Conor McQuaid, Irish Distillers CEO & Chairman

This is accelerated by the continued growth of Jameson which is now in double or triple-digit growth in more than 80 markets across the world. Nearly €130 million is to be spent expanding and upgrading the distillery in Midleton, and maturation site in Dungourney, Co. Cork, with over €20 million being invested in development of its bottling plant in Fox and Geese, Co. Dublin.

The investment will see the construction of eight new maturation warehouses, each holding 16,800 casks, with further land to be purchased to support the next phase of development, in Dungourney, Co. Cork.

The company has also added an additional mechanical vapour recompression evaporator, made by GEA Wiegand in Germany, to its Midleton Distillery in East Cork. The addition allows the distillery to further expand its capacity. A third mash filter and new fermenters are also to be installed in the distillery to meet the increasing demand for its portfolio of whiskeys. The distillery will also complete construction of a new office building in July 2019.

Investment in Irish Distillers’ bottling site in Fox and Geese will see extensions to the main operating bottling hall, storage warehouses, laboratory, and office spaces and additional upgrades to bottling and packing equipment.

The maturation site in Dungourney, Co. Cork

This €150 million investment in Midleton, Dungourney and Fox and Geese reflects the growing international success of Irish Distillers’ whiskey portfolio.

With a tradition dating back to 1780, we have been distilling in the Midleton Distillery since 1975 and we are delighted to confirm our commitment to this tradition, and at the same time continue to embrace progress, delivering new and innovative expressions of Irish whiskey. We look forward to building upon our success story by continuing to bring innovative Irish whiskeys to the market.

Irish whiskey is the fastest growing premium spirit in the world, with sales now accounting for more than one third of all Irish beverage exports. This investment will help to allow this growth to continue for years to come.

The company is proud to play its role in the Irish drinks industry, which is a hugely important part of the Irish economy.
– Conor McQuaid: Chairman and CEO – Irish Distillers

Midleton Very Rare 2018 – 35th Edition Unveiled!

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THE MIDLETON VERY RARE 2018 EDITION

Irish Distillers has unveiled the 2018 vintage of Midleton Very Rare.

Bottled at 40% ABV, Midleton Very Rare 2018 is available globally

The 35th edition in the renowned and highly collectable range, first unveiled in 1984, is a masterfully blended Irish whiskey, crafted at the Midleton Distillery, Co Cork, by Master Distiller Brian Nation.

Midleton Very Rare 2018 is the result of the careful blending of exceptional, rare and hand-selected single pot still and single grain Irish whiskeys.

Each cask has been matured exclusively in lightly-charred ex-Bourbon American oak barrels for between 12 and 28 years, imparting a vanilla sweetness which is in keeping with the rich tradition laid down by the series over the past four decades.

The 2018 edition offers a subtle floral note alongside a hint of fresh herbs and citrus from the Irish grain whiskey contribution, which is complemented by the spicier Irish single pot still whiskey characteristics of cinnamon, clove and black pepper.

The vanilla sweetness contrasts with the charred oak to deliver a finishing touch of orchard fruit, green banana and a hint of barley sugar.

Bottled at 40% ABV, Midleton Very Rare 2018 is available globally from this month at the RRP of €180 in markets including Ireland, the UK, and the US.

It is a great honour to have my signature on the front of each bottle of Midleton Very Rare, and this acts as the ultimate guarantee of quality from the Midleton Distillery. We set aside very small amounts of particularly fine single pot still and single grain distillates each year so that the Midleton Very Rare legacy can continue.

This practice has been going on for over 40 years and today we are the proud custodians of the exceptional distillates with a duty of care to ensure that future generations are able to enjoy the pinnacle of Irish whiskey as we do today.
– Brian Nation: Master Distiller at Midleton Distillery

Midleton is available to buy from these Whisky Merchants:-

Irish Distillers Launches Jameson Cold Brew – A Classic Combination Of Irish Whiskey & Coffee!

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Jameson Cold Brew – the classic combination of Irish whiskey and coffee

Jameson Irish Whiskey, which is produced by Irish Distillers in Midleton Distillery, is set to pilot a new and innovative take on the classic combination of Irish whiskey and coffee; Jameson Cold Brew.

Jameson Cold Brew will be trialled in limited quantities from September 2018

Jameson Cold Brew will be trialled in limited quantities from September 2018 in response to the growing global appetite for Irish whiskey, quality coffee and coffee-driven cocktails such as the espresso martini.

#JamesonColdBrew is a combination of triple-distilled Jameson Irish Whiskey and refreshing cold brew coffee extract, crafted from the finest, 100% Fairtrade arabica beans from Columbia and Brazil.

The result is a smooth, new Irish whiskey experience, with a bold coffee taste balanced with charred wood on the palate and a warming mouthfeel on the finish.

Underpinning the long-standing association between Jameson and coffee, Jameson Cold Brew is best served over ice or in a coffee cocktail such as the Jameson Cold Brew martini or the Jameson Cold-Fashioned. The pilot innovation is set to inspire bartenders and appeal to lovers of whiskey, coffee and food with a new Jameson experience that can be enjoyed from day to night.

Jameson Cold Brew is set to tap into the rise in popularity of both Irish whiskey and coffee culture in key cities around the world, typified by all-day coffee shops that cater for both a daytime caffeine fix and evening cocktail experience.

Bottled at 35% ABV, the new release will debut in the Jameson Distillery Bow St, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Dublin Airport from September 2018 at an RRP €28.50.

Over the past ten years, we have seen the continued rise in popularity of both Irish whiskey and craft coffee culture, and while the two are no strangers in the glass we wanted to modernise this iconic duo.

Jameson Cold Brew combines the best of both worlds in a new and refreshing way and we are confident that Irish whiskey and coffee fans alike will enjoy the taste experience it offers.
– Brendan Buckley: Strategy, Innovation and Prestige Director at Irish Distillers

Jameson is available to buy from these Whisky Merchants:-

Irish Distillers Scoop Multiple Golds In San Francisco!

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24 Gold or above medals for Irish Distillers!

Irish Distillers have scooped a remarkable 24 Gold or above medals at the recent International Spirits Challenge and San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Top honours were awarded to Powers John’s Lane 12 Years Old, scooping Best Single Pot Still Whiskey and Best Irish Whiskey at the annual tasting in San Francisco.

Powers John’s Lane 12 Years Old crowned Best Irish Whiskey!

New members of the Irish Distillers family, Midleton Dair Ghaelach Bluebell Forest (released October 2017) and Jameson Bow Street 18 Years Cask Strength (released April 2018), were also highly commended, winning Double Gold medals on their first outing at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

These accolades have set the bar high for the rest of the awards season, suggesting further success is on the horizon for both of these prestige offerings from the Midleton family of Irish whiskeys.

In addition, Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength claimed its fourth Double Gold medal in a row at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition – a testament to the consistency in quality of single pot still Irish whiskey craftsmanship at the Midleton Distillery, County Cork.

With four Gold or above medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Redbreast has once again cemented its place as the most decorated single pot still Irish whiskey in the world.

In total, the prestige range from Irish Distillers secured one Best, six Double Gold and 17 Gold medals across the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) and International Spirits Challenge (ISC):

Midleton Dair Ghaelach Bluebell Forest


Midleton Dair Ghaelach Bluebell Forest: Double Gold (SFWSC) and Gold (ISC)
Jameson Bow Street 18 Years Cask Strength: Double Gold (SFWSC)
Powers John’s Lane 12 Years Old: Double Gold, Best Irish Whiskey & Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey (SFWSC)
Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength: Double Gold (SFWSC)
Midleton Very Rare 2017: Double Gold (SFWSC)
Redbreast 21 Year Old: Double Gold (SFWSC) and Gold (ISC)
Redbreast 15 Year Old: Gold (SFWSC)
Powers Signature Release: Gold (SFWSC)
Powers Three Swallow Release: Gold (SFWSC)
Powers Gold Label: Gold (SFWSC)
METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Finished in French Chestnut: Gold (ISC)
Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy: Gold medal (ISC)
Jameson 18 Year: Gold (ISC)
Jameson Irish Whiskey: Gold medal (ISC)
Jameson Irish Whiskey Caskmates IPA Edition: Gold medal (ISC)
Jameson Signature: Gold medal (ISC)
Jameson Black Barrel: Gold medal (ISC)
Jameson Round: Gold medal (ISC)
Jameson Lively: Gold medal (ISC)
Jameson Cooper’s Croze: Gold medal (ISC)
Jameson Blender’s Dog: Gold medal (ISC)

ameson Bow Street 18 Years Cask Strength

We are thrilled with the response to Midleton Dair Ghaelach Bluebell Forest and Jameson Bow Street 18 Years Cask Strength at one of the most renowned spirit tasting competitions in the world. It is also great to see the Powers and Redbreast ranges flourish, as they continue to excite a whole new generation with the quintessential single pot still style of Irish whiskey.

These accolades are a tribute to the craftsmen and women at Midleton Distillery Co. Cork, past and present, who work tirelessly to produce whiskeys of unrivalled quality.
– Billy Leighton: Master Blender at the Midleton Distillery

Now in its 18th year, the San Francisco World Spirits Challenge is one of the most influential spirits competitions in the world and is judged by a line-up of esteemed drinks journalists, producers and experts.

Run each year in partnership with respected drinks trade bible, Drinks International, the International Spirits Challenge is one of the most authoritative and influential spirits competitions in the world and celebrates its 23rd anniversary this year.

Redbreast Dream Cask 32 Year Old – It’s Gone But Not Forgotten!

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Redbreast Dream Cask is (or was!) a limited edition, 32 Year Old single pot still Irish whiskey!

As The Beatles said, “I read the news today oh boy!”

and what was the headline?

“REDBREAST DREAM CASK FLIES OUT OF THE BIRDHOUSE IN JUST SIX HOURS!”

Yep, you heard it right …

Irish Distillers has confirmed that the limited edition, 32 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish whiskey, Redbreast Dream Cask, has sold out. Launched exclusively through The Redbreast Birdhouse, at 4.00pm on 19th May – World Whisky Day – all 816 bottles of Redbreast Dream Cask were sold by 10.30pm, at a rate of more than two bottles per minute.

Redbreast had very kindly sent me a sample pack so I could experience the launch on the day ‘at first taste’.

So, I was obviously gutted not to be there last Saturday as I somehow didn’t hear the postman and missed the parcel delivery! But anyways the package was re-delivered on Monday and what a package it was!

A dream sample pack!

A quick refresher on the Redbreast Dream Cask 32 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey:-

Redbreast Dream Cask is a limited edition, 32 Year Old single pot still Irish whiskey – a single cask that was hand-selected last year by Master Blender, Billy Leighton, as his favourite Redbreast whiskey. The cask was chosen for having the perfect balance of pot still, Spanish oak and sherry flavours, which can usually only be achieved through blending – bringing to life Redbreast’s signature sherry style.

The whiskey was originally unveiled during a Facebook LIVE tasting to mark Redbreast’s World Whisky Day 2017 celebrations. Participants and viewers praised the quality and rarity of what is now the oldest Redbreast Irish whiskey ever to go on sale, with many requesting that the whiskey be made available to buy.

In almost 40 years as a blender, Redbreast Dream Cask is a real highlight as I am able to select my own, personal dream Irish whiskey and share it with the world. Our inaugural tasting in 2017 was by far the largest whiskey tasting I have ever held, and the feedback we have received from the whiskey community on the liquid has been phenomenal, so it’s an honour to see it bottled to mark World Whisky Day 2018 – and watch this space for our 2019 plans.
– Billy Leighton: Redbreast Master Blender

Apprentice Blender, Dave McCabe, and Master Blender, Billy Leighton, taste one of just 816 bottles of Redbreast Dream Cask to mark World Whisky Day 2018 over the weekend

The Redbreast Dream Cask represents the perfect contribution of flavours through a careful maturation journey rounded out by a particularly sublime sherry butt. The original date of bonding goes back to 31st October 1985, with single pot still Irish whiskey filled into re-fill American Oak ex-Bourbon barrels.

Then, on 8th March 2011, the whiskey was re-casked into a first-fill Oloroso Sherry-seasoned butt. The resulting whiskey was bottled without the use of chill-filtration at 46.5% ABV.

So, what did I think? Here are my tasting notes …

Redbreast Dream Cask 32 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey (46.5%)


Colour: Glorious sherry colour – deep and vibrant.

Nose: Rich fruits including fresh, crunchy, red apples and blackcurrant. Rich vanilla toffee, chocolate, orange and a little mint.

Palate: Ditto the nose! Luscious mouthfeel, rich, sweet, vanilla toffee, red apples, chocolate.

Finish: Dry finish with plenty of fiery pepper and that rich creamy toffee. Extremely well balanced.

Overall: A beautiful dram. One of the best I’ve ever tasted and I’ve tasted quite a few!

Glorious flavours, fantastic nosing. I’ll be a little sad when the last drops disappear but as they say, it’ll be “Gone But Not Forgotten!”

Many thanks to Redbreast (@IrishDistillers) for an amazing sample pack and an amazing experience!

The Redbreast Birdhouse gives Irish whiskey fans exclusive access to limited edition releases, information on the Redbreast family, interviews from the Midleton Master Distillers and bespoke Redbreast gifting. Redbreast Dream Cask becomes the first in a new series of limited edition Redbreast Irish whiskeys planned for the coming years, that will be sold exclusively through The Redbreast Birdhouse.

Redbreast is available to buy from these Whisky Merchants:-

Irish Distillers Release Limited Edition ‘Redbreast Dream Cask’ Exclusively For Members Only!

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Redbreast Dream Cask is a limited edition, 32 Year Old single pot still Irish whiskey

Redbreast Irish whiskey, which is produced by Irish Distillers in Midleton Distillery, has launched the Redbreast Dream Cask, which will be available to buy through its online members’ club, The Birdhouse, from World Whisky Day (Saturday 19th May). The release follows requests from consumers and whiskey experts over the past 12 months, and becomes the first in a new series planned for the coming years.

Redbreast Dream Cask is a limited edition, 32 Year Old single pot still Irish whiskey – a single cask that was hand-selected last year by Master Blender, Billy Leighton, as his favourite Redbreast whiskey. The cask was chosen for having the perfect balance of pot still, Spanish oak and sherry flavours, which can usually only be achieved through blending – bringing to life Redbreast’s signature sherry style.

The whiskey was originally unveiled during a Facebook LIVE tasting to mark Redbreast’s World Whisky Day 2017 celebrations. Participants and viewers praised the quality and rarity of what is now the oldest Redbreast Irish whiskey ever to go on sale, with many requesting that the whiskey be made available to buy.

In almost 40 years as a blender, Redbreast Dream Cask is a real highlight as I am able to select my own, personal dream Irish whiskey and share it with the world. Our inaugural tasting in 2017 was by far the largest whiskey tasting I have ever held, and the feedback we have received from the whiskey community on the liquid has been phenomenal, so it’s an honour to see it bottled to mark World Whisky Day 2018 – and watch this space for our 2019 plans.
– Billy Leighton: Redbreast Master Blender

The Redbreast Dream Cask represents the perfect contribution of flavours through a careful maturation journey rounded out by a particularly sublime sherry butt. The original date of bonding goes back to 31st October 1985, with single pot still Irish whiskey filled into re-fill American Oak ex-Bourbon barrels.

Billy Leighton, Master Blender

Then, on 8th March 2011, the whiskey was re-casked into a first-fill Oloroso Sherry-seasoned butt. The resulting whiskey is luxuriously smooth with wood resin notes reminiscent of well-polished antique furniture, lots of ripe fresh fruit flavours and an extremely balanced finish that slowly fades.

Redbreast Dream Cask is bottled without the use of chill-filtration at 46.5% ABV and is available in very limited quantities through Redbreast’s online private members’ club, The Birdhouse, for €500 per 50cl bottle.

What started out as a celebration of Redbreast on World Whisky Day has developed into the release of a limited edition directly requested by Redbreast fans.

We didn’t know it then, but World Whisky Day 2017 was just the beginning for Redbreast Dream Cask and we look forward to what Billy Leighton, and his apprentice Dave McCabe, will find in our Midleton warehouses in the years to come.
– Brendan Buckley: Strategy, Insight, Innovation & Prestige Whiskeys Director at Irish Distillers

Redbreast is available to buy from these Whisky Merchants:-

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