🥃 Redbreast 21 Year Old
An older Redbreast expression since 2013: at least 21 years in ex-bourbon and oloroso casks, part of the whiskey up to 28 years old; 46% ABV.
Redbreast 21 Year Old is one of the oldest expressions of the Redbreast brand. It is an Irish single pot still from Midleton with a stated age of 21 years, bottled at 46% ABV. According to Difford's Guide, it was launched on 26 September 2013, and some whiskey in the blend is up to 28 years old.
The mash is malted and unmalted barley, distilled three times in copper pot stills. The whiskey matures in American oak ex-bourbon barrels and first-fill Spanish oak oloroso sherry casks. It is bottled without chill filtration. Difford's Guide describes the taste as sherry, ripe apple, leather and black pepper.
Why this matters for you. Redbreast 21 Year Old is much older than Redbreast 12 Year Old and Redbreast 18 Year Old. Difford's Guide suggests drinking it without water to keep the balance. The 21-year age statement refers to the youngest whiskey in the bottle, and part of the blend is older. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 46% ABV |
|---|---|
| Minimum maturation | 21 years (part of the blend up to 28 years) |
| Cask type | ex-bourbon (American oak) and first-fill ex-oloroso (Spanish oak) casks |
| Distillation method | pot still, three times, copper stills, Midleton |
| Raw material | malted and unmalted barley; water |
| Year founded | 2013 |
| EU category | 2 — whisky/whiskey |
| Legal basis | Irish Whiskey GI (Technical File; Reg. (EU) 2019/787): Irish Pot Still Whiskey |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Redbreast 21 Year Old → packed in → 🍷 Oak barrel ← packed in ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oloroso, 🍷 Oak barrel, 🥃 Ex-bourbon barrel
- Made from
- 🥃 Barley and malt in whisky
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🥃 Redbreast, 🥃 Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, 🥃 Irish Whiskey
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength, 🥃 Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength, 🥃 Redbreast 18 Year Old, 🥃 Redbreast 18 Year Old
Frequently asked questions
Is all the whiskey in Redbreast 21 exactly 21 years old?
No. The age statement refers to the youngest whiskey; according to Difford's Guide, part of the blend is up to 28 years old.
What is the strength of Redbreast 21 Year Old?
46% ABV, according to Difford's Guide and The Whiskey Wash.
When did Redbreast 21 appear?
According to Difford's Guide, it was launched on 26 September 2013.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden barrel of oak staves in which wine matures and breathes.
- 🥃 Barley and malt in whisky — Malted barley is the base of whisky: malt enzymes convert starch in the mash, and EU whisky is distilled below 94.8% vol.
- 🥃 Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength — Undiluted Redbreast 12: an Irish single pot still from Midleton, 12 years in ex-bourbon and oloroso casks; batch strength above 57% ABV.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
Similar
🥃 Redbreast 15 Year Old · 🥃 Redbreast 12 Year Old · 🥃 Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength · 🥃 Redbreast 18 Year Old · 🥃 Powers Three Swallow · 🥃 Mackmyra Svensk Ek
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Difford's Guide: Redbreast 21 Year Old (46 %; minimum 21 years, some whiskeys up to 28 years; American oak ex-bourbon barrels and first-fill Spanish oak oloroso butts; not chill filtered; launched 26.09.2013)
- The Whiskey Wash: Redbreast 21 Year Old Highlights Irish Single Pot Still Style (malted and unmalted barley, triple distilled in copper pot stills; bourbon barrels and first-fill oloroso casks; 46 %)
- Revenue (Ireland): Geographical Indication for Irish Whiskey and Irish Poteen/Poitin (GI verification, Tax and Duty Manual)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)