#midleton distillery

Cobh Cobh Our seventh day in Ireland was one of deep reflection, striking beauty, and a taste of Ireland’s proud distilling tradition. From coastal history to sacred liturgy and a smooth finish, today had it all. We began our morning in the picturesque harbor town of Cobh, a place steeped in both history and emotion. Our first stop was the Cobh Heritage Centre, a beautifully curated museum…

Press Release

NEW YORK ... Redbreast Irish Whiskey, produced by Irish Distillers at the world-renowned Midleton Distillery in Cork, Ireland, officially introduced Redbreast Tawny Port Cask Edition, a limited-edition single pot still Irish whiskey finished in tawny port casks from Portugal's breath-taking Douro Valley.  

Expertly created by esteemed Master Blender Billy Leighton and Blender Dave McCabe, Redbreast Tawny Port Cask Edition is a single pot still Irish whiskey initially matured in a combination of bourbon and oloroso sherry casks. To add a new dimension to the flavor profile, a portion of these maturing whiskeys were recasked into tawny port casks for a number of years. All of the whiskeys were then skilfully blended and completed their maturation journey by marrying in freshly seasoned tawny port hogsheads for a final maturation period of 14-25 months.

The inspiration for Redbreast Tawny Port Cask Edition started 12 years ago, when Leighton took a trip to the Douro Valley in Portugal to visit some of Midleton Distillery's partner cooperages and winemakers.

"We were enjoying lunch with the late renowned winemaker Joaquim Anacleto and Gesprove Winemaker José Pinheiro overlooking the valley, discussing the various wines and spirits that had influenced our whiskeys," says Leighton. "And, being in the valley, we began to imagine how Tawny Port's intricate flavor profile could affect our whiskies. Curiosity took hold, and we decided to make this daydream a reality – and we are quite pleased with the impeccable result."  

The result Leighton mentions is a rich, well-balanced whiskey with notes of praline, buttery baked goods, and dried cherries from the earlier tawny port influence, followed by a warming sweetness of toasted caramel and vanilla carried through from the bourbon and an added depth of dried fruits from the sherry. The final maturation period in newly procured tawny port casks elevates the nutty character further and provides a sweet finish for a rich, full-bodied whiskey.

"Redbreast Tawny Port Edition's flavor profile is well within our flock's DNA, yet it provides an exciting twist from another part of the Iberian Peninsula," McCabe adds. "Each subsequent expression in the series will represent a new discovery from this rich region which to date has greatly influenced the Redbreast style over the course of its history."

Redbreast Tawny Port Cask Edition marks the third release of the brand's acclaimed Iberian Series. The series is inspired by Redbreast's long-standing connection to some of the Iberian Peninsula's most celebrated cooperages and winemakers, and combines the rich heritage and craft of the region with the excellence of Midleton Distillery's single pot still whiskeys, to create expressions that are truly extraordinary. Redbreast Tawny Port Cask Edition is the second limited edition to join the series, following the 2021 release Redbreast Pedro Ximénez Edition, and permanent expression and series anchor Redbreast Lustau Edition.

Redbreast Tawny Port Cask Edition is bottled at 46% ABV and will be available in the USA for an SRP of $99.99. Link to purchase.

Tasting Notes:

Aroma: Sweet and warming confectionery notes of buttered pastry accompanied by aromas of caramelized almonds with subtle undertones of praline and dried cherry. Scented floral honey with whisperings of a delicate herbal character lingers in the background while the seasoned oak and pot still spices accentuate the sweet and full-bodied nature of this wonderfully balanced whiskey.

Taste: Rich and nutty at first with notes of chocolate-coated hazelnut and salted caramel, quickly followed with fresh plums and dried fig. The tannins' soft presence works in harmony with the luscious and creamy texture, evoking notes of orange marmalade with delicate hints of toasted oak.

Finish: Lingering finish which sees the pot still spices and fruits slowly fading, leaving the tawny seasoned oak to have the last word.

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers is Ireland's leading supplier of spirits and wines and producer of some of the world's most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the success of Irish whiskey globally. Jameson is the world's fastest-growing Irish whiskey, achieving +10% net sales growth globally in FY23. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets around the world. 

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network.  

In 2022, we announced a multi-million euro investment in a carbon neutral roadmap for Midleton Distillery in addition to our plans to invest in a new distillery on a site adjacent to our existing operations in Midleton. 

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard USA is the premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA., the world's second largest spirits and wine company. Pernod Ricard employs approximately 19,000 people worldwide, is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI) and is part of the CAC 40 index. The company's leading spirits include such prestigious brands as Absolut Vodka, Avión Tequila, Chivas Regal Scotch Whisky, The Glenlivet Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Kahlúa Liqueur, Malibu, Martell Cognac, Olmeca Altos Tequila, Beefeater Gin, Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal, Código 1530, Monkey 47 Gin, Seagram's Extra Dry Gin, Malfy Gin, Hiram Walker Liqueurs, Midleton Irish Whiskey, Redbreast Irish Whiskey, Aberlour Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Lillet, Jefferson's Bourbon, TX Whiskey, Skrewball Whiskey, Smooth Ambler Whiskey, Rabbit Hole Whiskey, Pernod and Ricard; such superior wines as Jacob's Creek, Kenwood Vineyards, Campo Viejo, Brancott Estate and Sainte Marguerite en Provence rosé.; and such exquisite champagnes and sparkling wines Perrier-Jouët Champagne, G.H. Mumm Champagne, Mumm Napa.

Getting to grips with the Method and Madness Irish Micro Distilled Gin

Method & Madness is an Irish brand that has been shaking things up in the Whiskey world, and now they’ve turned their hand to Gin. Who are they?

Hailing from the Midleton Distillery, the brand was formed in collaboration between the Master Distillers and the Apprentices. It’s a partnership that is meant to breed innovation and encourage a dialogue.

The results have been excellent so…

#TullamoreDEW #Whisky Review: Tullamore D.E.W. XO Rum Cask (43%, OB, +/-2018)

Whisky Review: Tullamore D.E.W. XO Rum Cask

Category: Irish blended whiskey

Origin: Midleton Distillery

Bottling: William Grant & Sons

ABV: 43%

Cost: £26

What they say

XO Rum Cask Finish is our Tullamore D.E.W. Original triple distilled triple blend of pot still, malt and grain Irish whiskey finished in the finest first fill XO rum casks to deliver sweet tropical flavours. With this XO Rum Cask…

#Tullamore DEW #Whisky Review: Tullamore D.E.W. Original (40%, OB, +/-2018)

Whisky Review: Tullamore D.E.W. Original

Category: Blended Irish whiskey

Origin: Midleton Distillery

Bottling: William Grant & Sons

ABV: 40% ABV

Cost: £24.13

What they say

The original blended Irish whiskey, known the world over for its smooth and gentle complexity. For one, it is triple distilled and patiently aged in a combination of ex-bourbon and sherry casks, developing its distinctive…