Redbreast 15 Year

Redbreast 15 Year is an Irish single pot still whiskey, a style made from a mash of malted and unmalted barley distilled in copper pot stills. That mash is why pot still whiskeys tend to read as richer and spicier than single malts or grain-led blends. Here it is bottled at 46% ABV and, per the producer's notes, left un-chillfiltered. It is matured in a combination of Oloroso sherry and bourbon barrels. A higher bottling strength and no chill filtration usually mean more oils and texture on the palate, and the flavors carry further than they do at 40%. Expect the two cask types to show up in different ways. The bourbon barrels usually contribute vanilla, toasted oak and a gentle sweetness. The Oloroso sherry casks typically add dried fruit, nuts, baking spice and a deeper, rounder body. The unmalted barley in a pot still mash tends to bring a peppery, slightly oily spice and a creamy mouthfeel. Irish whiskey in this style is generally not smoky, so look for fruit, spice and oak instead of peat. These are style expectations and not a measured tasting profile for this bottle. At 46%, a small splash of water, a few drops at a time, is worth trying. It loosens the spice and opens the fruit and sweeter cask notes without flattening the texture. Neat is the natural first pour. One large cube works if you prefer it cooler, though chilling mutes some of the subtler aromatics, so use it sparingly. A Glencairn glass concentrates the aroma for nosing, and a rocks glass suits slower sipping. If you mix with it, keep the recipe simple so the whiskey stays audible. An Old Fashioned made with a small measure of demerara syrup and orange bitters suits the sherry-influenced fruit. A Manhattan with sweet vermouth and aromatic bitters does the same, and its pot still spice holds up well against the vermouth. In a Whiskey Sour, the weight of the spirit gives the lemon and sugar some body. For a Highball, pour over ice and top with chilled soda for a long drink that keeps the whiskey's character. At this age and strength, though, most people find it rewards sipping more than mixing.