Redbreast Lustau Edition

In the glass, the whiskey is a bright amber colour.

On the nose, this is bright, rich and estery. This leads with substantial vanilla with toasted almonds that grow in intensity. Taking centre stage are waves of honey, caramel and vanilla custard accompanied by an equal part of bright estery fruits- Saturn peaches and pineapples. There is a minor part of raisins and sultanas. Remarkably clean, fresh, bright and aromatic.

The spirit is relatively crisp and honeyed, but there is also small touch of dark oakiness and chocolately notes; this takes some repeated nosing. Adding several drops of water coaxed these aromas out.

On the palate, refreshingly crisp, sweet and velvety in texture. Taking a sip, the opening flavours are sweet, bright and estery in a distinctively Irish whiskey way that makes the flavours permeate your olfactory canal. A heap of vanilla shortbread and lashings of honey and butter, supported by rich and luscious raisins, sultanas and cherries that come through more distinctively in the palate. Interestingly, the sweet dark fruits are dominant on the palate but there is no dryness that usually follow. None of that red winey-leathery texture. Instead, we have sweet dark fruits supported by a creamy and velvety texture. The combination of the luscious dark fruits and honey reminds me of a raisin-topped sticky kouign amann.

Great balance with a rich body and velvety texture.

I really like the marriage of equals between the clean and sweet vanilla flavours on one hand and sweet sherry notes on the other.

The remarkable difference in the Lusteau is really that there is no dryness or leatheriness that generally accompany sherried whiskies.

The finish is long with the enduring sweetness of vanilla, raisins and pineapples. As the more lively notes subside, you start to detect light spices of cinnamon and ginger prickliness. There is also just a touch of bitter hoppiness you would get from a lager beer, that linger a little while on your tongue.