Redbreast Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Pedro Ximenez Edition

96 points Jonah Flicker (Robb Report): "In the world of Irish whiskey, it doesn’t get much better than Redbreast... So I was very eager to try this new expression, a celebration of the Irish-Iberian connection which is represented by the sherry casks that are used to mature a portion of the whiskey. The newest in the Iberian Series is the limited-edition Pedro Ximénez Edition, which intensifies the sherry influence on the whiskey to great effect... It is a single pot still Irish whiskey, which means that it is made at one distillery in Ireland using pot stills from a mash bill of both malted and unmalted barley. It’s produced at the Midleton Distillery, where a variety of other whiskeys are also made, including a little brand called Jameson that you might have heard of. Redbreast is matured in a combination of bourbon barrels and sherry butts from Spain, along with some port pipes for older expressions, which gives the core range its unique and vibrant flavor profile... The PX Edition was initially aged in bourbon and oloroso sherry casks, and then transferred to Pedro Ximénez sherry hogshead casks for another 12 to 22 months... These are smaller than regular sherry casks, so the interaction between wood and whiskey is augmented during this secondary maturation period. And the results are exquisite. The nose starts out with aromas of apple and spice, with just a hint of orange and chocolate on the back end. Take a sip, and the palate explodes with rich dried fruit, leather, coconut, vanilla and a bouquet of tropical fruit. There’s a bit of must and oak on the finish, which is a pleasurable way to end this spicy, fruity, and sweet (but not saccharine) sipping experience. At 92 proof, there’s a welcome bit of heat on the palate as well... Redbreast has struck the right note with this new release, and really brought the specific flavors of two far-flung corners of Europe together in an intriguing way. (1/7/22)"