Discover The History of Redbreast Irish Whiskey

April 25, 2024

Today, Redbreast is the world’s most awarded Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, beloved by whiskey aficionados everywhere and a feather in the cap of Irish Distillers. But, did you know that its humble beginnings date all the way back to 1857, and a company called W & A Gilbey?

Gilbey’s were purveyors of spirits of all kinds, and sourced whiskey from only the best distilleries in Dublin to market under their own distinctive brands. Only natural then that they should team up with John Jameson & Son’s to create a 12-year-old expression called John Jameson & Son’s Castle ‘JJ Liquer’ Whiskey. A bit of a mouthful, no? That’s probably why it was renamed Redbreast in 1912.

How Did Redbreast Get Its Name?

Redbreast – quite a catching name for an Irish Whiskey, so how did it come about?

DISAPPEARANCE AND REVIVAL

That’s when Redbreast really took flight and, by the mid 1960s, it was being bottled annually in batches of approximately 4,000 gallons. However, it wasn’t always a smooth journey. Gilbey’s ceased production of Redbreast in 1985 and sold the brand to Irish Distillers the following year. For a short time, Redbreast completely disappeared from the market. Thankfully, it rose like a phoenix from the ashes in 1991 after a makeover which benefited from Irish Distillers’ revamped wood programme.

Initially relaunched as a 12-year-old Single Pot Still Whiskey, Redbreast has since been released in 15 year old, 21 year old, and 27 year old expressions, not to mention a growing number of special editions. Built on a loyal following of ‘those in the know’, today Redbreast is the world’s most awarded Single Pot Still Whiskey, and is recognised as one of the finest Irish whiskies in the world.

REDBREAST OLD FASHIONED

Drinking a Redbreast neat, or on the rocks, is the perfect way to take in the rich and creamy flavours of our signature expression. However, if you want to mix things up a little, you can’t go wrong with a Redbreast Old Fashioned.