Rare single cask Redbreast released

A Belfast whiskey shop will take a very special delivery next week which is sure to be a hit with local whiskey enthusiasts.

The Friend at Hand on Hill Street in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter will become one of a handful of specialist whiskey stores in the world to receive a special edition Redbreast Single Cask release.

Redbreast Single Cask expressions have been released in partnership with a select number of top specialist whiskey stores around the world in cities including London, Dublin and Paris. Now, Belfast’s leading emporium of fine Irish whiskey is next in line. And its bespoke bottling is entirely unique, like no other whiskey in the world.

This special whiskey was distilled and laid down in the Midleton Distillery in County Cork in November 1991. In creating this edition of Redbreast Single Cask, a first-fill Oloroso sherry butt cask, which had been maturing uninterrupted for 25 years, was selected from warehouse no.M12B.

Bottled at 53.5% abv, this single cask bottling of Redbreast was hand-selected exclusively for The Friend At Hand, Belfastby Midleton master blender, Billy Leighton.

Commenting on the release, Willie Jack of The Friend at Hand said that this particular release had been well worth the wait:

“In the week that we await news on Ireland’s bid for the Rugby World Cup, and the month where we wait to hear whether Belfast and Derry will move forward with their bid for European Capital of Culture, it is fitting that we are releasing this special whiskey.

The new Redbreast Single Cask release is available exclusively from The Friend at Hand, priced £365.