Drinking Redbreast: The Art Of The Neat Pour

I Take My Whiskey…

The age old question asked by every bartender who keeps a good shelf of whiskey, ‘How do you take it?’ 

 

If your answer to that inquiry is a quietly confident ‘neat, please’ , then maybe you are already well versed in the art of  the neat pour. A connoisseur of the simple serve. However, you may not know that there is much more to this seemingly straight-forward ritual that just tipping your bottle of Redbreast over and letting it flow into your glass.

 

So, follow the steps below to ensure you are getting the most out of your tasting experience.

Simple Steps For The Perfect Serve

Just like in whiskey making, whiskey tasting comes down to two core principles: passion and dedication. While the guidelines below may seem like overkill to someone more newly acquainted to the art of the serve, for our Redbreast advocates, they are gospel. 

 

Glassware: While you can enjoy Redbreast from any type of glassware, to drink premium whiskey, you’ll need premium glasses. So of course we highly recommend our own Redbreast Tumblers, composed of elegantly cut glass adorned with our beautiful Robin Redbreast. For something a little different, the tulip shape of the Glencairn glass allows the aromas to gather and concentrate in the glass, making it an ideal vessel to enjoy Redbreast’s aromas. 

  

Pouring: At Redbreast Irish Whiskey we believe in drinking responsibly. A sensible 50ml (or two ounces) gives you enough liquid to appreciate and savour the subtle nuances of our taste profile, without going overboard.

  

Temperature: Neat whiskey is typically served at room temperature, as any excessive cooling will mute the aroma, hiding some of the liquid’s complexities. And with a whiskey as complex as Redbreast, this is definitely not something you want to do.

  

Tasting: This is it, the moment you have been waiting for, but don’t rush it. Take your time and try to take notice of these three core components to your tasting:

 

1. Nose: Bring your nose to the glass and take a deep inhale of that luscious liquid. Note the subtle aromas and try to recognise what you’re taking in. Vanilla? Spices? Oak?
2. Taste: Take small sips. Allow the whiskey to coat your palate and most importantly, go slowly. Drinking whiskey isn’t a race, but something to take your time with.
3. Finish: Savour the moment. Appreciate the flavour profile and the notes which are playing over your taste buds. Is it fruity? Nutty? What is the finish like? Does it feel warming? Or smooth? It may be tricky to begin with, but over time, you’ll start to notice the depth and complexity of every sip.

 

And that’s it, the art of the neat serve. But that’s not the only way to enjoy Redbreast Irish Whiskey.

Mixing It Up A Little

On the Rocks

To allow the whiskey to breath a little, try it over ice or “on the rocks”. The ice subtly dilutes the whiskey, making the alcohol flavor less harsh while still allowing you to experience the subtler notes of whatever expression has taken your interest that evening.

  

We recommend you start with one or two ice cubes. If the whiskey gets too cold, you might not be able to enjoy all the different flavors.

Whiskey With Water

A few drops of water can really open up the spirit, releasing more aromas. Like ice, water can soften whiskey’s intensity by dampening the burn from the alcohol.  A perfect  way to enjoy whiskey for newcomers. 

In a Cocktail

Whiskey is a versatile base for cocktails and mixers. It’s a star player in classics like the Manhattan, whiskey sour and old fashioned. 

 

Redbreast’s combined complexity, sweet sherry taste, and creamy mouthfeel make it an excellent choice to deliver some seriously elevated cocktails. Our recipes are easy to make, but fast to impress. Explore our cocktail recipes below.