Cask Strength Redbreast expression added to Irish Distillers Single Pot Still Range

Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard is adding to its collection of Single Pot Still Whiskeys of Midleton* this weekend at Whisky Live Paris**, with the launch of Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength – the portfolio’s first permanent cask strength bottling. This latest addition to the Redbreast range forms part of the company’s ongoing commitment to promote the provenance and quality of this unique Irish whiskey style.

Produced at Midleton Distillery, Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength is Redbreast in its natural full-flavoured state – straight from the cask, non-chill filtered and without the addition of water. Bottled at 57.7% ABV, this first batch will be available from September 2011 in Ireland, France and Germany and in the US from February next year.

Brendan Buckley, Global Category Development Director for Irish whiskey at Irish Distillers, said: “Over the years, we’ve had great encouragement from whiskey enthusiasts and fans of the renowned Redbreast range to launch a cask strength expression, and we’re delighted to be finally releasing this incredible single pot still whiskey in response. It comes during what has been an exciting year for the range, having recently undergone a packaging revamp to freshen it up and reinforce its quality cues. We are confident that this latest development will be enthusiastically received by Redbreast fans around the world.”

Barry Crockett, Master Distiller at Midleton Distillery, added: “This is a very special single pot still whiskey, full of dried fruit flavours, with an exceedingly long finish. It is the perfect addition to the Redbreast range – representing the expression in its purest state. I’m confident that this will become the whiskey that all whiskey lovers will want to own and savour – myself included!”

Redbreast represents a style of whiskey that is unique to Ireland in general and to Midleton Distillery in particular. Single pot still whiskey is made from a mash of malted and unmalted barley, which is then distilled in traditional copper pot stills. Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength, and all single pot still whiskeys from Midleton, is triple distilled.

About Redbreast

The origins of Redbreast whiskey date back to 1887 and was originally the brand name given to the whiskey supplied by the Jameson distillery to the Gilbey whiskey bonders, before bottling at the distillery became the norm in 1968. As the practice of selling whiskey to bonders ended in the late 1960s, brands such as Redbreast all but disappeared, until Redbreast 12 Year Old was relaunched by Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard in the 1990s as a single pot still whiskey.

Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength joins the original Redbreast 12 Year Old and Redbreast 15 Year Old in the range. Full to the rafters with aroma and flavor, Redbreast displays the hallmark influence of whiskey matured in combination of first fill Spanish Oloroso sherry casks and American bourbon whisky barrels.

Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength Tasting Notes

Nose: A fruit explosion: figs, dates, ripe banana, sultanas, red apple and lime. Pot still spices combine with the sweet vanilla and pine from the casks.

Taste: Deep full dried fruit, a touch of citrus with aromatic oils and spices. Vanilla sweetness leads to toasted oak and barley.

Finish: Exceedingly long finish with a rich complexity of spices and fruit, slowly fading through sweet butterscotch to barley.

Irish Distillers extend the "Irish Single Pot Still" range with Powers and Midleton Brands

Irish Distillers extend the "Irish Single Pot Still" range with Powers and Midleton Labels
Pernod Ricard the owners of Irish Distillers has launched two new "Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey"# brands as part of its initiative to celebrate the provenance and quality of this unique Irish whiskey style, and to highlight the diverse flavour spectrum of the reinvigorated Irish whiskey category.

Powers and Midleton will join Redbreast and Green Spot as brand names in a formidable new portfolio of "Single Pot Still" whiskeys emanating exclusively from the multi-award winning Midleton Distillery in Co. Cork. The company has also announced a whiskey development programme with the aim of creating and releasing regular new expressions of "Irish Single Pot Still" Whiskey across its brand portfolio each year.

“Single pot still Irish whiskey is truly the jewel in the crown of Ireland’s rich whiskey tradition; a tradition which we have carefully nurtured over the years at the Midleton Distillery” said  Alex Ricard (Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard Chairman and Chief Executive) “There has been tremendous interest in single pot still Irish whiskey in recent times so this is the perfect opportunity to rejuvenate and restore this exceptional whiskey style to its former glory. By adding the prestigious Powers and Midleton brand names to our range of single pot still Irish whiskeys, we will offer more flavour variety and create even more interest among whiskey enthusiasts and aficionados worldwide.”

Powers John’s Lane Release honours the silent distillery and spiritual home of the Powers brand at John’s Lane in Dublin. This new expression features a distillate which is true to the pot still style of the original distillery and bears the distinctive honey and spice style that made Powers famous. Bearing a 12 year old age statement, the whiskey has been matured in first fill bourbon barrels with a contribution of whiskey which has been matured in Oloroso sherry butts.

For Historical Information about The Powers Irish Whiskey Distillery Click Here

Powers John’s Lane Release Tasting Notes
Bottled at 46% ABV | Aged 12 years | Non chill filtered



Nose: An abundance of earthy aromas, leather, tobacco with layers of charred wood, dark chocolate and treacle toffee.
Taste: Full bodied spice front followed by vanilla, honey and dried apricot.
Finish: Lingering honey sweetness on toasted oak.

The first ongoing single pot still Irish whiskey to carry the Midleton name – Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy – pays tribute to celebrated second generation Master Distiller who, more than anyone, has shaped with the world-famous Midleton style. Representing Barry Crockett’s personal selection of first fill bourbon whiskeys with the inspired inclusion of whiskey which has matured in unseasoned American barrels, this expression displays a distinctive pot still complexity yet is refined and poised on the finish.

For Historical Information about The Original  Midleton Irish Whiskey Distillery Click Here

Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy Tasting Notes
Bottled at 46% ABV | NAS 12-25 years | Non chill filtered
Nose: Elegant aroma of vanilla and toasted oak complimented by a touch of lime, succulent green berries, pears and green sweet pepper.
Taste: Light pepper carries onto fresh citrus, limes and mandarin orange sweetness. A hint of cinnamon with vanilla and oak reveals its years spent in American oak.
Finish: The full spectrum of flavours lasts well into the finish, slowly fading to expose the clean American oak foundation.

Both Redbreast and Green Spot benefited from the introduction of upgraded packaging in April 2011. The elegant presentation of both the Powers John’s Lane Release and Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy, similarly reflect the growing stature of the Irish Distillers’ growing single pot still portfolio.
All four brands will also bear the Single Pot Still whiskeys of Midleton quality mark on the back label in order to communicate the unique provenance and heritage of the distillery and of these exceptional whiskeys.

# The Irish whiskey industry changed the terminology used to describe its most famous whiskey style in April 2011. ‘Pure Pot Still’ Irish whiskey is now referred to as ‘Pot Still’ Irish whiskey and for those whiskeys originating from a single distillery, the prefix ‘single’ is used, giving rise to the new industry term ‘Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey’.

For more information about Irish Distillers whiskies Click Here

‘Single Pot Still Whiskeys of Midleton’

Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard has announced plans to underline the rich heritage of Irish whiskey with the launch of a new initiative – 

Single Pot Still Whiskeys of Midleton. 

Aimed at promoting consistent communication on the provenance and quality of single pot still whiskey*, the launch heralds an increase in investment in Irish Distillers’ existing portfolio, ahead of a planned roll out of innovative extensions later in the year.  Additionally, the initiative marks the adoption by the industry of new terminology for this unique style of whiskey – moving from ‘Pure Pot Still’ to ‘Single Pot Still’.

Improved packaging for Redbreast and Green Spot, from April 2011, is set to enhance the portfolio and better reflect its super-premium positioning, while the inclusion of the Single Pot Still Whiskeys of Midleton quality mark on the back label of each expression will communicate the provenance message to consumers globally.

Global Category Development Director for Irish whiskey at Irish Distillers, Brendan Buckley, said: "Single Pot Still whiskey was once the world’s most popular style of whiskey. Today, although used as a key component in many of our well known Irish blends, Redbreast and Green Spot are the only remaining single pot still whiskey brands available on a global commercial basis. Our aim is to nurture these brands and to help safeguard the history and heritage of single pot still whiskey on behalf of the Irish whiskey industry.

“This initiative symbolises a new chapter for pot still Irish whiskey, and signals renewed energy in the category. In partnership with our global distributors, we will be investing behind these brands with the clear intention of restoring our unique whiskey style to its former glory. We are confident that through this initiative, the Irish whiskey category will benefit, as more and more consumers continue to discover this exceptional style of whiskey”.

The enhanced Redbreast range retains its distinctive shaped bottle, label and logo, with additional elements such as a wood cut illustration of a pot still, printed on copper foil and, by way of explaining the origin of the name of Redbreast, a robin motif.  A strong point of reference for consumers, the descriptor ‘single pot still Irish whiskey’ is given a clear presence on the front label. A colour code has also been introduced with burgundy distinguishing Redbreast 12 Year Old from the green Redbreast 15 Year Old. Gift cartons for both expressions have also benefited from a considerable upgrade with heavier carton stock and the use of emboss and copper foil devices, adding to the range’s super-premium cues.

Irish Distillers lesser known single pot still whiskey brand, Green Spot has received a transformational makeover. Originally produced exclusively for the Mitchell family in Dublin in the 1800s**, Green Spot’s traditional green bottle is replaced with a stylish clear glass bottle with higher shoulders, a shorter neck and an enlarged base offering the perfect backdrop for the striking new label. A contemporary canister, which features an image of a cask marked with a green spot, is set to increase the gift appeal of this celebrated limited release expression.
Single Pot Still whiskey is unique to Ireland, and in particular Midleton, Co. Cork. Made from a mash of malted and unmalted barley that is then triple distilled in traditional copper pot stills, this style of whiskey is renowned for its full, complex flavours and smooth, creamy mouth feel.

* The Irish whiskey industry is changing the terminology used to describe its most famous whiskey style – from April 2011 onwards ‘pure pot still’ Irish whiskey will be referred to as ‘pot still’ Irish whiskey and for those whiskeys originating from a Single distillery, the prefix ‘single’ will be used, giving rise to the new industry term ‘Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey’.

The new terminology was prompted by the launch of Redbreast 15 Year Old Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey in the USA in 2010, wherein the US Trade & Tariff Bureau (TTB) invoked a regulation prohibiting the use of the term ‘pure’ as it pertains to whiskey descriptors.

** Green Spot was originally produced exclusively for the Mitchell family who commenced trading in Dublin in 1805 as purveyors of confectionary, wines and fortified wines.   In 1887, this entrepreneurial family expanded into the whiskey bonding business whereby they sent empty wine, sherry and port casks via horse and cart to the local Jameson Distillery which were then filled and returned to the Mitchell’s cellar warehouse. There, the whiskeys matured for many years under bond until they were ready to be bottled and sold.

This Green Spot name originated from the Mitchell family’s practice of marking casks of different ages with a daub of coloured paint. There was a Blue Spot, Red Spot and even a Yellow Spot, but Green Spot emerged as their most popular whiskey and is one of the few “whiskey bonder brands” to survive to modern day.



Redbreast 12 Year Old Tasting Notes:
Nose: A complex spicy and fruity aroma with toasted wood notes evident.

Taste: Full flavoured and complex; a harmonious balance of spicy, creamy, fruity, sherry and toasted notes.

Finish: Satisfyingly long, the complex flavours linger on the palate.

Redbreast 15 Year Old Tasting Notes:
Nose: Full and rich with a complex yet balanced mix of berry fruits and aromatic oils.

Taste: Fully round and mellow with the succulence of fleshy fruit combined with spices and toasted wood.

Finish: Long and sophisticated. 

Green Spot Tasting Notes:
Nose: Fresh aromatic oils and spices with orchard fruits and barley on a background of toasted wood.

Taste: Full spicy body. A hint of cloves along with the fruity sweetness of green apples, rounded off with toasted oak.

Finish: Lingering flavours of spices and barley.


Irish Distillers Limited, part of Pernod Ricard Group, distils and distributes a range of Irish whiskey, gin and vodka brands globally including Jameson, Powers, Paddy, Midleton Very Rare, Redbreast, Cork Dry Gin, Cork Crimson Gin and Huzzar Vodka.

For more information about Irish Distillers whiskies Click Here