One of the Society's favourite whiskeys, Redbreast, almost disappeared in the early 80s. Pot Still as a style of whiskey was dying out completely. Companies like Fitzgerald and Dillon tried to revive the brand by experimenting with a lighter and cheaper blended version.
IDL eventually took the brand back entirely. In 2005 they created a once-off 15 year old version for La Maison du Whisky . It became a much sought after whiskey and, as a result, IDL introduced Redbreast 15 as a regular release.
As Redbreast increased in popularity it contributed in no small part to the revival of pot still whiskey in Ireland and the rebirth of Irish whiskey in general.
We will taste various incarnations of this whiskey and judge how it has developed over the last few decades.
1. Redbreast 12 year old
2. Redbreast 12 year old Cask Strength
3. Gilbey's Redbreast 12 year old
4. Redbreast Pot Still Blend
5. Redbreast 15 year old (2011/2012)
6. Redbreast 15 year old (2005)
