Name: Redbreast Lustau Edition
Color: Gold brown
Nose: Orange, almonds, sweetness
Taste: Fruits, honey, sherry finish
Redbreast Lustau Edition is from the Midleton Distillery in Cork, Ireland and was released from the “Jameson Clan” in 2016. I say the Jameson Clan because Redbreast is produced by and tastes a lot like Jameson whiskey.
The Lustau Edition is a non-aged stated whiskey that spends around 9-12 years in American and European Oak casks and is finished in Oloroso sherry butts. In my opinion the Redbreast 12 and 15 year-olds have that Jameson flavor in the taste profile. If you are not aware, I would rather drink piss than Jameson Whiskey. However, to my relief, I could not taste the Jameson or “J-Bo” as it is called by the millennials in my office. Lustau is sweeter due to the sherry finish and has a good taste and a nice balance. I think if I had sampled a larger dram I would eventually noticed the flavor of Jameson and ended up not enjoying it. I almost bought a bottle for my bar this summer but I chose not to because of this concern.
The name “Lustau” comes from the Lustau Sherry Company in Spain where Midleton purchases the casks. “Butts” are a type of wooden cask (barrel) and are mainly used in sherry maturation. They are longer and slender than regular casks and are made from European Oak. A butt holds approximately 130 US gallons. Many distilleries buy these used sherry butts to mature their whiskey to obtain the sherry flavor in the whiskey profile.
Butt Cask:
Price around $80 it’s a bit pricey but worth it if you like Red Breast or a sweeter whiskey.
If you like it, drink it! – Christopher
If you like it, drink it!
