New Release - Redbreast - "Mano a Lámh"

One of the many ways I am looking to improve this blog, as the year goes on, is by starting to provide you all with some of the latest news coming out of the Irish whiskey scene and this seems like the perfect time to kick things off after receiving a fresh press release yesterday from Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard.

Those of you who were keeping tabs on trending topics yesterday will of course know that this was in relation to the latest release from Redbreast Irish Whiskey.  

"Mano a Lámh", meaning "hand in hand" in Spanish and Gaelic, is the representation of the close relationship that has been forged between Midleton Distillery and the collective of artisans in Spain, who have crafted the distillery’s sherry butts for more than 20 years.

As detailed in the press release, oak is felled in the forests of Galicia, north-west Spain, and then crafted and seasoned by some of the country’s most prestigious family businesses. 

The Antonio Páez Lobato Bodega in the South crafts the oak into casks, which are then seasoned with Oloroso sherry for two years at the prestigious Páez Morilla Bodega in the nearby sherry capital of the world, Jerez.

The freshly seasoned sherry butts are then shipped promptly, during the cooler winter months, to Midleton Distillery where they are then filled with new make pot still whiskey.

While the core Redbreast range is matured in a combination of American bourbon and Spanish oloroso butts, Redbreast "Mano a Lámh" revels in this signature sherry style by bringing together whiskeys which have been matured exclusively in first fill Spanish oloroso sherry casks, imparting distinct, rich, fruity flavours and a full body.

Limited to just 2,000 bottles, and priced at €65 Redbreast "Mano a Lámh" is non-chill filtered, bottled at 46% ABV and is available exclusively to members of "The Stillhouse" from this month.  For more information be sure to visit www.singlepotstill.com.  

Redbreast "Mano a Lámh" tasting notes by Billy Leighton, Midleton Master Blender

Nose: Very deep dried fruits, raisins and sultanas with the more earthy tones of fig, dates and prunes. The sweetness is from the fruit and balances perfectly with pot still spices such as dill and black pepper, and the contribution of the toasted Spanish oak.

Taste: Silky smooth and deceptively sweet, full of rich, ripe, dark fruit with the leisurely emergence of the signature spices.

Finish: The rich fruit slowly gives way to the perfection of the Spanish oak.

In months to come I shall give you my own opinion on this fine sounding whiskey as my bottle is already bought and hopefully on it's way.

Until next time,

Sláinte

SI