Whiskey Review: Redbreast 12 Year Irish Whiskey

We’re revisiting a whiskey that we haven’t touched since Season 1 of Film & Whiskey: Redbreast 12 Year, a classic single pot still Irish whiskey that helped introduce us to the category years ago. Back then, our palates weren’t quite ready for it. Now, with more experience under our belts and hundreds of whiskeys behind us, we’re excited to see how Redbreast 12 holds up.

Redbreast 12 is distilled at the Midleton Distillery in Ireland and is owned by Pernod Ricard. It’s aged for 12 years, triple-distilled, and made using a traditional pot still with a mash bill of malted and unmalted barley, a hallmark of single pot still whiskey. The whiskey is bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof).

Let’s dive into the nose, taste, finish, and overall experience.

Nose

Brad:
There’s a nice combination of toffee, citrus, and floral notes. It leans a little grainy, and I think you can really pick up on that barley. It’s pleasant, bright, and distinctly Irish—like dewdrops on bright green grass. I’ll give it a 7.5/10.

Bob:
For me, the unmalted barley is the standout note. It has this raw, unseasoned grain aroma. That might not be a bad thing, but I tend to filter these through my American bourbon lens, where this kind of nose usually means a younger, less mature spirit. I’m giving it a 6.5/10.

Taste

Brad:
The palate is delicious. I get fresh apple, like it was just picked off the tree, alongside caramel and a nutty quality that reminds me of pecans. It’s a really tasty whiskey—8/10 for me.

Bob:
Totally agree. That pecan note is spot on, and there’s even a kind of pecan pie sweetness with a syrupy texture that coats the palate. It’s much more viscous than expected, and there’s a slight smokiness that adds depth. This feels like the funkiness of the pot still at work. I’m going with an 8.5/10.

Finish

Brad:
The finish is nice: caramel, pecan, and a little citrus. That barley note is present throughout and ties the experience together. It doesn’t quite pack the punch of the palate, but it still lands well. I’ll give it a 7.5/10.

Bob:
I get a mineral water vibe here. It’s like a cool, crisp minerality that lingers—not my favorite finish, but it makes sense in context. That smoky, grainy note carries through. I’m also at a 7.5/10.

Balance

Bob:
So I’ve given this a 6.5, 8.5, and 7.5. That averages out to a 7.5, but I did feel a bit of whiplash going from nose to taste to finish. I think I’ll come down to a 7/10 on balance.

Brad:
I actually think this is extraordinarily well-balanced. You get a consistent flavor experience from start to finish, with the barley as the throughline. I had a 7.5 on nose and finish, 8 on taste, and I’ll stick with a 7.5/10 for balance. Not overly complex, but it delivers what I want from an Irish whiskey.

Value

Brad:
In the state of Ohio, Redbreast 12 retails for $65. For a 12-year Irish whiskey, that’s not unreasonable, but it’s a bit high for my personal taste. I’ll go with a 6/10.

Bob:
Yeah, I think $50–55 would be the sweet spot. At $65, it feels just slightly overpriced compared to similar options. Still, it’s a solid pour. I’m at a 7/10 on value.

Final Scores

Brad: 36.5/50
Bob: 36.5/50

We may have taken different paths through this whiskey, but we landed in the same place. A score of 36.5/50 puts Redbreast 12 squarely in “soft recommend” territory. That means it’s definitely worth trying at a bar, and if the flavor profile appeals to you, picking up a bottle wouldn’t be a bad call.

The highlight for both of us was the palate, which earned high marks for its rich texture and unique nutty-sweet character. It’s a classic Irish whiskey with enough depth and balance to justify a revisit—and for us, it’s the start of a Redbreast mini-series, so stay tuned for the 15-year and Lustau editions coming up.