On my way back from Dublin to Amsterdam, I naturally had to stop at the whiskey shop, where I met the lovely Stuart. He guided me through a selection of their finest whiskey exclusives, and now I ask you: which would you take home?
The Redbreast Single Pot Still Whiskey - Cuatro Barriles Edition
During my visit to the Whiskey Reserve two days earlier, I was served this particular whiskey because I wanted something different and unexpected, and it certainly delivered! Launched on March 26th of this year, this whiskey is a new addition to the acclaimed Redbreast Iberian Series.
This exceptional whiskey was aged in four distinct casks: ex-Bourbon, Spanish Oloroso sherry butts, Portuguese tawny port hogsheads, and European virgin oak casks. It offers a unique combination of flavors that provide complexity and strong character. On the nose, I detected red berries, grapes, wood, and coffee. On the palate, there's a sweetness that balances out the spices and chocolate, making you almost forget that it is bottled at 46%—dangerously delicious.
Jameson Triple Triple Whiskey
This is a remarkable addition to the already impressive Jameson collection. While touring the distillery, I overheard an enthusiastic whiskey fan passionately praise this whiskey, which piqued my curiosity. What makes it so special?
As the name suggests, this whiskey is triple distilled and matured in three different casks: Bourbon barrels, Sherry casks, and hand-selected Malaga casks, which contribute to its beautiful blended smoothness. The nose reveals pears and lemons transitioning to darker fruits blended with cinnamon. On the palate, there's a delightful fruitiness with summer fruits and dried figs, laced with pepper and chocolate.
The Busker - Single Pot Still Whiskey - Single Cask
Matured solely in Sherry Casks, this whiskey was created in collaboration with Aer Rianta International and crafted at the Royal Oak Distillery in County Carlow. Aged for six years in a sherry cask, this whiskey impressed me with its spiciness when I tasted it alongside the Busker Single Malt. Despite tasting it stone-cold sober and on an empty stomach, it packed a punch! Rich, fruity, and thick with toffee and fudge.
With only 450 bottles available in the market, I would have loved to take this home, but they had run out at my terminal! Instead, I brought home their Single Malt, which pleased me just as much.
So, which of these exclusives would you choose?
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