The Weekend Pour

As we propel towards the weekend each week, I spotlight a bottle worth your attention — whether it’s one to hunt, one to open, or one to revisit with fresh perspective.

🥃 FEATURE POUR: Redbreast 12 Year-Old

Our first featured Irish whiskey

If you’re just starting your journey in the whisky/whiskey world, note the spelling is different in Ireland than in the UK - the “e” is there just like in the U.S. (or I suppose the “e” is present in the U.S. just like in Ireland).

Region: County Cork, Ireland
ABV: 40%
Average U.S. Price: $65–$75 USD

Why This Bottle?

Redbreast 12 has earned legendary status for a reason. Often described as the gold standard of Irish whiskey, it combines the rich, oily texture of the single pot still style with the elegance of sherry cask maturation. It’s a pour that bridges accessibility for new drinkers with depth for seasoned enthusiasts — a weekend companion that rewards both casual sips and slow contemplation.

Redbreast puts out great whiskies of varying ages. The 12 year old is very accessible at the current price point of $65-75 USD. The 18 year old is amazing, but currently costs about $250 in the U.S.

🥃 Tasting Notes

Nose: Bursting with ripe orchard fruits — think baked apples, pears, and a touch of banana — layered over dried fruitslike raisins and sultanas from the sherry cask. Honeycomb sweetness, toasted nuts, and warm baking spices (nutmeg, cinnamon) round it out.

Palate: Luxuriously creamy and full-bodied. Rich notes of vanilla custard, honey, and malted barley lead, followed by juicy fruitcake flavors, toasted oak, and a subtle nuttiness. The pot still spice (pepper, clove) emerges mid-palate, adding structure without overpowering.

Finish: Long, warming, and elegant. Sweet sherry fruit lingers alongside oak tannin, gentle spice, and a final flourish of creamy malt. Balanced, comforting, and endlessly inviting.

🧠 Dram Index™ Score

📖 Quick Distillery Story

Redbreast is produced at the Midleton Distillery in County Cork, Ireland, where many of Ireland’s great whiskies are born. The 12-Year expression stands out for preserving the pot still tradition — a uniquely Irish method combining malted and unmalted barley, giving it that creamy, full-bodied texture. Its sherry cask influence, sourced from Spain’s bodegas, adds layers of dried fruit and spice that have made Redbreast 12 a benchmark whiskey for decades.

🥂 Weekend Toast

If you’re looking for a bottle that effortlessly bridges beginner approachability with enthusiast-level depth, Redbreast 12 is it. Accessible, soulful, and full of tradition — the perfect weekend dram to share with friends or savor on your own.

🍽️ Pair It With:

• 🔥 Herb-Crusted Salmon with Roasted Vegetables

  The oily richness of salmon mirrors Redbreast’s creamy body, while fresh herbs (thyme, dill, parsley) echo the whiskey’s herbal undertones. Roasted root vegetables like carrots or parsnips play beautifully with its honeyed sweetness.

• Recipe: Herb-Crusted Salmon with Vegetables

• Cheese Pairing: Aged Gouda or Comté

  • Why it Works: The nutty, caramel depth of these cheeses amplifies Redbreast 12’s sherried dried-fruit notes, while their saltiness balances the whiskey’s sweetness. A drizzle of honey on the cheese can elevate this to an elegant snack.

  • Serving Suggestion: Thick wedges of 18-month aged Gouda, walnuts, and dried apricots.

• 🎶 "Moondance" – Van Morrison
  Soulful, warm, and just the right mix of elegance and swing.

Santé!

Nick on the Rocks
Editor, The Dram Dispatch
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