Redbreast Lustau Edition Irish Whiskey 750ML

Redbreast Lustau Edition Irish Whiskey 750ML is a single pot still Irish whiskey finished in first-fill oloroso sherry butts, bottled at 46% ABV in a 750ml bottle. Named Irish Whiskey of the Year by Whisky Advocate in 2017, this expression represents a collaboration between Midleton Distillery and the renowned Bodegas Lustau of Jerez, Spain — a partnership that layers sherry-driven richness over the classic Redbreast pot still character.

Quick Facts: ABV: 46%  |  Origin: County Cork, Ireland  |  No Age Statement (NAS)  |  Distillery: Midleton

Production & Heritage

Redbreast is produced at Midleton Distillery in County Cork, one of Ireland's largest and most historically significant distilling operations, owned by Irish Distillers (a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard). Like all Redbreast expressions, the Lustau Edition is a single pot still whiskey made from a mashbill of both malted and unmalted barley, then triple distilled in traditional copper pot stills. What distinguishes this bottling is its finishing stage: after initial maturation in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, the whiskey spends an additional year in first-fill sherry butts hand-selected and seasoned exclusively with oloroso sherry at Bodegas Lustau in Jerez, Spain. That full-year finishing period is notably longer than the few months typical of most sherry finishes, allowing deeper integration of the oloroso character into the spirit. The whiskey is non-chill filtered and bottled at 46% ABV to preserve body and flavor complexity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Orange zest and toffee lead, followed by toasted grains and stone fruit. Deeper exploration reveals dried prunes and dates, accented by anise and toasted oak from the sherry butt influence.

Taste: The entry is creamy and immediately coats the palate with rich nuttiness — hazelnuts and figs come forward alongside coppery malt. At mid-palate, dark sweets intensify: candied citrus, dark dried fruit, and a creamy vanilla pudding quality that is distinctly pot still in character. The oloroso finish adds a layered depth without overpowering the barley-forward backbone.

Finish: Long and warm, with a slow drawl of baked apple, malt, caramel, and sherry. A spicy, slightly peppery sensation lingers alongside a subtle touch of sweet fig that gradually fades.

How to Drink Redbreast Lustau

The Lustau Edition is best appreciated neat or with a few drops of water to open up the sherry-influenced aromatics; the 46% ABV and non-chill filtration ensure the whiskey holds its structure well without dilution. For cocktails, its dark fruit richness and creamy body make it exceptionally versatile:

• Old Fashioned — The dried fruit and toffee notes complement a demerara sugar syrup and orange peel beautifully.
• Whiskey Sour — Citrus amplifies the orange zest and candied notes, while egg white mirrors the creamy texture.
• Rob Roy — The oloroso sherry finish creates natural harmony with sweet vermouth, making this an unusually cohesive variant.

Best For

• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who appreciates sherry-influenced spirits
• After-dinner sipping as a dessert-course companion
• Expanding a pot still Irish whiskey collection beyond standard age statements
• Side-by-side tastings comparing sherry-finished expressions across categories

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Redbreast Lustau taste like? Redbreast Lustau delivers a rich, creamy palate of dark dried fruit, hazelnuts, candied citrus, and vanilla pudding, with a warm, lingering finish of caramel, baked apple, and sherry spice. The oloroso sherry cask finishing adds a layer of dried fig and nutty sweetness that distinguishes it from other Redbreast expressions.

How does Redbreast Lustau compare to Green Spot? Both are single pot still Irish whiskeys with creamy, fruit-forward profiles, but Redbreast Lustau leans darker and richer due to its full-year oloroso sherry butt finish, while Green Spot tends toward brighter orchard fruit and a lighter body. Redbreast Lustau is also bottled at a higher ABV (46% vs. Green Spot's 40%), which contributes additional texture and intensity.

Is Redbreast Lustau good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the 46% ABV and non-chill filtered bottling deliver full flavor and a satisfying mouthfeel that reward slow, contemplative sipping. A few drops of water can further unlock aromatic complexity without thinning the palate.

Where is Redbreast Lustau made? Redbreast Lustau is produced at Midleton Distillery in County Cork, Ireland, operated by Irish Distillers. The finishing sherry butts are sourced from Bodegas Lustau in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, where they are seasoned with oloroso sherry before being shipped to Midleton.

What foods pair well with Redbreast Lustau? Dark chocolate truffles complement the dried fruit and toffee notes. Aged Manchego cheese mirrors the nutty, sherry-influenced character. Fig and walnut bread echoes the whiskey's fig and hazelnut flavors. Roasted duck with a fruit glaze pairs well with the caramel and stone fruit mid-palate. Crème brûlée matches the creamy vanilla pudding quality on the palate.

What sizes does Redbreast Lustau come in? The Redbreast Lustau Edition is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Redbreast Lustau worth the price? Redbreast Lustau positions as a premium expression within the single pot still Irish whiskey category, sitting above the standard Redbreast 12 Year Old in complexity and specialization. Its Irish Whiskey of the Year recognition from Whisky Advocate in 2017 and consistent critical scores in the 92–93 point range suggest strong value relative to similarly awarded whiskeys in other categories.

Why Redbreast Lustau?

The Lustau Edition stands apart in the Redbreast range because of the specificity and duration of its sherry cask finishing. While many whiskeys undergo a brief finishing period of a few months, this expression spends a full year in first-fill oloroso sherry butts seasoned at one of Jerez's most respected bodegas, allowing the sherry influence to integrate deeply rather than sit on the surface. Whisky Advocate validated this approach by naming it Irish Whiskey of the Year in 2017, and it earned Gold at the Irish Whiskey Awards in 2016 — recognition that places it among the most acclaimed Irish whiskeys of the past decade. For drinkers who appreciate the distinctive malted-and-unmalted barley character of single pot still whiskey but want a richer, more dessert-inflected expression, the Lustau Edition delivers a depth that justifies its premium positioning.