The whiskey is produced in ruby port casks, where the Master Blender Billy Leighton filled them with pot still distillate and leaving them to mature. He then combined them with whiskey aged in bourbon and sherry barrels. The addition of the rub port barrels adds fleshy fruit characteristics with notes of toasted oak which complements the rich and robust style of the distillate.
Blender Dave McCabe adds: “Bottled at 54.6% cask strength, the ruby port barrels contribute notes of mango, pineapple, and berry to the robust flavour of Redbreast 27-Year-Old, clearly distinguishing it from the previous expressions in the collection, treading a beautiful balance of tradition and innovation.”
Redbreast 27-Year-Old tasting notes by Master Blender Billy Leighton and Blender Dave McCabe:
Nose: A mix of exotic fruits and red berries, complemented by fresh herbs and wood spices. Vanilla sweetness and treacle toffee combine with the nuttiness of toasted oak.
Taste: Incredibly rich in texture with a luxurious combination of ripe stone fruits and summer berries, balanced by the prickle of a hint of chilli oil. Cherry menthol, vanilla and cinnamon sweet spices complement red pepper, nutmeg and toasted oak.
Finish: A satisfyingly long balance of ripe fruit and wood spices, worthy of a journey of nearly three decades.
Produced in limited quantities on an ongoing basis, Redbreast 27 Year Old is available in 11 global markets from March 2020 at SRP of $500 USD. Consumers in the USA can find Redbreast 27 Year Old in 23 markets including: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas Washington D.C and Washington state.