Redbreast has unveiled the newest addition to its acclaimed Iberian Series, and this time the Irish single pot still whiskey maker is looking to southern Spain for inspiration.
Redbreast Moscatel Wine Cask Edition — the fifth release in the series — is the work of master blender David McCabe, who partnered with Bodegas Quitapenas, a family-run winery in Málaga founded in 1880.
Other editions include PX sherry, port wine, and Lustau cask finishes. The PX sherry edition had a reputation for being absurdly drinkable and was a sellout upon its initial release. Moscatel, in stark contrast to PX sherry, is light, floral, and citrussy.
Although a non-age statement whiskey, it has been on a three-stage maturation journey that included time in ex-bourbon casks and Spanish Oloroso sherry casks before a 16-month finish in Moscatel wine casks sourced from the renowned Bodegas Quitapenas.
Bodegas Quitapenas is now run by fifth-generation family members Marta Suárez Prieto and her cousin Víctor Suárez Onrubia, who oversaw the cask seasoning process for this release. Those casks were made with Spanish oak and seasoned with Moscatel wine for two years before making the journey to the Midleton Distillery in Cork.
The result, bottled at 46% ABV, is said to be the most citrus-forward expression in the Iberian Series. On the nose, it opens with fresh tangerine, twisted orange peel, chamomile, nutmeg, and cedarwood. The palate brings vanilla, floral honey, and sugar-glazed fruits, with pot still spices providing a subtle backbone throughout.
The collaboration reflects a relationship Redbreast has been building across the Iberian Peninsula over several decades. Master blender David McCabe says: “The launch of Redbreast Moscatel Wine Cask Edition is a celebration of Redbreast’s heritage, craftsmanship, and incredible legacy.
“The use of Spanish Moscatel–seasoned casks is a tribute to Redbreast’s historic ties to sherry and fortified wines, and our appreciation for the incredible people across the region, including Marta and her family at Bodegas Quitapenas, which was founded in 1880. Their remarkable family heritage inspired the richness and depth of this expression.”
Redbreast Moscatel Wine Cask Edition is available at select retailers in the US, UK, Germany, and Ireland, priced at £85 / $109.99.
