Today we are looking at the newest release from Redbreast, and comparing it to the amazingly good 12yr CS that has been on the market for years. They are both aged in used Bourbon and Sherry casks, but the Small Batch lacks an age statement. Fancy Glencairn respects age. They are both $90-$100, so let’s see which one is worth your hard-earned money!

12yr CS) Produced with malted and unmalted barley, and triple distilled in copper pot stills.
-The Nose is fruity, with some malted spices. There are notes of pear, mango, baking spices, and biscuits.
-The Palate is coating and rich with a slight butteriness. There is more mango and pear, plus apricots, cinnamon-apple, some lemon citrus, and some oak.
-The Finish is medium in length, with lemon-vanilla giving way to white pepper, buttered toast, and slight oaky nuttiness.
Overall, this is one of my favorite Irish Whiskies that can be had for a reasonable price.

Small Batch CS)
-The nose is extremely similar, but includes more buttered biscuit, and less fruit.
-The Palate is also extremely similar, but also has more buttered bread, and less of the citrus tropical fruitiness.
-The Finish is medium, with buttered toast, and white pepper.
Overall this is also a very enjoyable version of Redbreast!

VERDICT)
Redbreast 12 CS is the clear winner here. If Small Batch were half the price then it would be much more competitive, but the extra aging of the 12yr has definitely allowed more of those beautiful tropical/citrus notes to really shine! I really hope that the 12yr is not going away, but that would be my fear with this Small Batch release… might be time to stock up!

Fancy knows that age is important, and it served her well here!

Anyone else love some Irish Whiskey?