The Tasting Panel magazine

JUNE 2011

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keys made in copper pot stills (the other is Green Spot, also from Midleton Distillery but not currently imported). Four Stills, Three Distillations Equally noteworthy is the method of distillation. Although Ireland’s tradi- tional three distillations contribute to Redbreast’s character, the Midleton distillery actually uses four pot stills: two wash stills, a smaller spirit still, and a feint still. This combina- tion enables Midleton to produce a wide range of whiskeys, and thus maintain Redbreast’s historical flavor. In addition, both malted and unmalted barley are As their flagship brand and leader of the Irish whiskey revival, Jameson has a long and illustrious history going back almost two centuries. used in the mashbill, in this case roughly a 50-50 mixture. The result is a spicy-creamy mouthfeel heightened by fruit and toasted oak. The 12 Year Old is chill-filtered and bottled at 80 proof. Redbreast 15 Year Old is non-chill- filtered and bottled at 92 proof. Both are best enjoyed neat, although cocktails—especially with the 12 Year Old—offer creative possibilities (Bird in the Hand, anyone?). Redbreast used to be called “pure pot still,” but new packaging reposi- tions it as a “single pot still whiskey,” a somewhat confusing nomenclature, as more than one pot still is employed, but one that nonetheless identifies the brand as coming from a single distillery. “While the volume of sales will most likely be skewed towards specialist whiskey and fine spirit retailers,” said Conor McQuaid, Commercial Director International for IDG, “we anticipate on-premise will play a key role in giving consumers an opportunity to sample prior to purchasing a bottle. Additionally, Redbreast already has a loyal following among the bartender community.” Not surprisingly, this year Redbreast 12 and Redbreast 15 both garnered Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. As Conor told me at the dinner in Ireland, real- izing I was one of the judges, “Those in the know, know Redbreast.” Conor McQuade (left), Commerical Director International for IDG and Alexandre Ricard, Chairman & CEO of IDG, are ready to help America discover single pot still Irish whiskey. The Georgian architecture of the Old Midleton Distillery is preserved as a museum and visitor center. june 201 1 / the tasting panel / 85 PHOTO: RICHARD CARLETON HACKER PHOTO: RICHARD CARLETON HACKER PHOTO: RICHARD CARLETON HACKER

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