Irish

Whiskey Review: Redbreast Kentucky Oak

We review Redbreast Kentucky Oak. It's a collaboration between the Irish brand and Elk Cave Farm, an American timber farm.

OVERALL RATING

9
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Redbreast Kentucky Oak (image via Jacob Wirt)

Tasting Notes

About:

Age statement not given, finished 3-7 months in Kentucky white oak barrels. 101 proof. Standard retail price of $95.99
Appearance:
Clear gold, moderate body with long legs
Nose:
Fresh cut wood, almond extract, and raspberries. As the recent recipient of a chipdrop at my home, a car-size pile of fresh cut wood chips was the first thing that came to my mind when I brought this glass to my nose.
Palate:
Start to finish there is a backbone of vanilla bean tannins holding together a succession of distinctive pot still flavors —savory autumn spices, juicy stone fruit sweetness, rich toffee move in succession before leaving a clear impression of the cask on the finish. Easy to savor ,with limited heat even at the higher proof.
Finish:
Comments:
I was excited to taste this bottle and it absolutely does not disappoint. If you don’t like this, you don’t like pot still. After reading the promotional materials which focus heavily on the casks, I started writing with the intention of trying not to bring up the wood but this forces the issue from the first impression on the nose. Undeniably delicious, this offers a variation on the known quantity of Redbreast’s classic pot still that is worth the price tag.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Jacob Wirt

Jacob Wirt, whose past lives as a cook and cultural studies researcher, continues to shape his deep appreciation for fermented grain beverages. His understanding extends beyond the mere enjoyment of the drink; he recognizes the knowledge, labor, and rich history behind every glass. With a passion for homebrewing beer, Wirt finds a similar fascination in whiskey, exploring how techniques, ingredients, and nuanced variables create the distinctive character of each expression.

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