Redbreast 15 Second Edition

[Fionnán]

I too bought at the worst possible price believing that the whiskey was on it's way out. As disheartening as it is to know that i spent 240 euros on a pair of bottles (one to drink one to save) when that money now seems to be the price of 3-4 of the same, I'm absolutely thrilled to see the whiskey itself coming back and i'd rather have the RB15 back on the shelves than a collector's item any day. As for the money lost, I can only console myself by hoping that desperate spending such as mine helped get the message across to IDL that RB15 might be worth keeping around

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

As for the money lost, I can only console myself by hoping that desperate spending such as mine helped get the message across to IDL that RB15 might be worth keeping around

Good and valid point ... the interest in the expression has to have helped.

I too bought at the worst possible price believing that the whiskey was on it's way out. As disheartening as it is to know that i spent 240 euros on a pair of bottles (one to drink one to save) when that money now seems to be the price of 3-4 of the same, I'm absolutely thrilled to see the whiskey itself coming back and i'd rather have the RB15 back on the shelves than a collector's item any day.

I would not knock it just yet ... both the 2005 & 2009 expressions could well be different beasts and going by the MduW notes it sounds like that it may well be and if that is the case then there is no reason not to keep hold of the First vintage as a possible collectable. But we will have to wait for a HTH (head to head) tasting.

Keep tuned to your favourite bat channel

[DavidH]

I would not knock it just yet ... both the 2005 & 2009 expressions could well be different beasts and going by the MduW notes it sounds like that it may well be

Actually, the MduW notes say this new edition is as similar to its predecessor as two peas in a pod (to use the equivalent English expression).

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

I would not knock it just yet ... both the 2005 & 2009 expressions could well be different beasts and going by the MduW notes it sounds like that it may well be

Actually, the MduW notes say this new edition is as similar to its predecessor as two peas in a pod (to use the equivalent English expression).

Your french is obviously better than mine David ... CHeers

[cathach]

What´s more peculiar I think is the tasting note given by Master Tseng (see translation below), he appears to me some sort of tea-whisperer....

Maître Tseng : évoque un Wulong de la province de Guang Dong, style « Dan Cong » peu fermenté pour ses notes de fleurs de fruits (mirabelle, kaki, citron) et de vanille.

[trans= Master Tseng: This evokes a Wulong tea from the province of Guang Dong, in the slightly fermented ´Dan Cong´ style with its floral notes (plum, kaki?, lemon) and vanilla.]

[JohnM]

I wonder is that the old stock they're clearing out first, if there is old stock?

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

I wonder is that the old stock they're clearing out first, if there is old stock?

They do mention that it is the 2009 version so I hope they are not pulling our legs.

[IainB]

I would not knock it just yet ... both the 2005 & 2009 expressions could well be different beasts and going by the MduW notes it sounds like that it may well be

Actually, the MduW notes say this new edition is as similar to its predecessor as two peas in a pod (to use the equivalent English expression).

As someone who grows peas on a regular basis I have to say that two peas in the same pod can be quite different in size and shape. Not so much in taste though. They generally taste like peas.

[DavidH]

€110 in Dublin. I'm with IWC on this - time to tell IDL where to stick it.

[John]

That is a shame. But if I'm honest, I didn't expect them to come within an Ass's roar of the continental prices. It's just not how they think (yet )
J.

[TheWhiskeyBro]

Hi there David,

€110 in Dublin, yikes, ouch... I can get JJ18 for €90 & JJGold for €54 at the moment...

Where did you see that price... and is it a new batch or what...

At this stage I'm totally confused... is it (A) another previously bottled tranche of the 2005 bottling (B) a fresh bottling of the same batch/vatting or (C) a completely new 2009 bottling...

At this stage my curiousity is limited to trying it side-by-side with the 2005 bottling... can't see myself buying it on a regular basis... and those who know me... I buy a lot... so this pricing level won't reach it's target audience... at least not in this country...

And this at a time when the majority of the populations disposable income is down at least 15-20%, it does not make economic sense, marketing sense and could fail to attract a new generation of PPS fans... pity!!!

[DavidH]

Where did you see that price... and is it a new batch or what...

I deliberately didn't link to it because I'm not trying to point the finger at the retailer. But pick a Dublin shop with a recently-updated website and have a look at the front page

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

The price point is very dissappointing? For a 15yo Whiskey it is way over priced and cannot be sold at limited edition prices. That's even above the price point of a scotch single cask at a similar age.

Not a happy camper but not surprised

The Irish Whiskey market continues to be abused by the industry and they will never get the regular whiskey drinker to move beyond standard expressions if this is their attitude to pricing.

[Fionnán]

Some have you have probably already heard this but i was talking with a local whiskey bar owner here about half an hour ago and he said his supplier confirmed that Redbreast 15 will be sold in the states; If they're investing in across the pond, which they once didnt even do with the 12 year old, my guess would be that RB15's at least very much on it's way to becoming a standard release. (How that effects pricing is another question altogether...)

[John]

Interesting, does that mean that the RB 15yo will be marketed in a 750ml bottle?
J.

[Michael Foggarty]

its a new batch alright the bottles are dated 4/12/09

[WhiskyNotes]

I'm planning to do a head-to-head comparison of the Redbreast 15yo first edition & second edition.
I can already tell you the differences on the nose surprised me, there's a very noticeable difference. An in-depth review should be on my blog next week.

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

I'm planning to do a head-to-head comparison of the Redbreast 15yo first edition & second edition.
I can already tell you the differences on the nose surprised me, there's a very noticeable difference. An in-depth review should be on my blog next week.

Good to have you on board WhiskyNotes, I've come across your blog before and we look forward to your thoughts on the RB15 HTH.

Let us know when you have it posted up

[WhiskyNotes]

Thanks IrishWhiskeyChaser. My review is up: Redbreast 15yo comparison

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

Thanks Whiskey Notes ... it's interesting that you say about the 2009 version "Dusty" and "seems older" this comes across as even more traditionally PPS and such notes can put some people off. I can't believe I've not bought a bottle of this yet ... ok it's time to make it my next mission

I like the way you did the 3 line synopsys in direct comparison

[JohnM]

Thankfully, I've lots of the "better" version! But I'm going through them quickly...


I've yet to try the new one, but am looking forward to trying it.

And, as Adrian said, dusty is something that comes up with old pot stills. As someone put it once, "old tool shed". I like that one.

[WhiskyNotes]

Usually I don't have problems with dusty notes in whisk(e)y, it's something that adds depth and character. In this case, the new version is perfectly fine, but once you place it next to the old version, it's night and day in terms of freshness and fruitiness. I just think people who adored the previous version may not be impressed with the new one.

[IainB]

I tasted the 2 together over the weekend and completely agree with the analysis above. The newer bottling seems more old fashioned, maybe closer in style to the Jameson 15 - the musty, dusty thing people talk about. It's a fine drink ut the previous version slightly shades it for me so far. That said, my opinion can change on these things over time - I know and love the older version so I would very much have been basing my opinion of the new one on that.

At least we know for certain now that it is a different batch.

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

Yes that is the great thing about whiskey it does change in your own estimation at times.

Looks like the newer version might be a winner with you John ...

By the sounds of it it will be another cracker if looking at it as a slightly different expression.

I would hope that the difference is big enough to make it worth while stocking up on the newer version too

[PureDrop]

Just under €60 at http://www.spirituosen-superbillig.com/Redbreast_15_years.html