Pernod Ricard USA Brings Two Distinguished Single Pot Still Irish Whiskeys To The U.S.

07 Feb 2014 --- Pernod Ricard USA has announced that it is introducing two exciting Single Pot Still Irish Whiskeys unique to Ireland and the Midleton Distillery Co. in Cork, to the United States: Redbreast 21 Year Old, awarded Whiskey Advocate’s Irish Whiskey of the Year 2013, and Green Spot, a rare collector’s whiskey.

During the late 18th century up until the early 20th century, Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey was the most popular whiskey style in the world. However, the combination of the recession and the onslaught of the World War I led to the category’s decline and a rise in lighter, blended whiskeys. Eventually, Redbreast and Green Spot were the only two remaining Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey brands. Now, thanks large in part to the Irish Whiskey resurgence, both bottles are expected to bring new levels of highly-anticipated depth and flavor in the Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey category to the U.S.

“Pot Still Whiskeys define the traditional flavor character of Irish Whiskey and we have seen a renewed interest and growth in the category over the last few years,” said Brian Nation, Master Distiller of Midleton Distillery Co. “We are bringing Redbreast 21 Year Old and Green Spot to the U.S. not only because we believe they will be successful and well received, but also to demonstrate our commitment to increasing the understanding of superior quality Irish Whiskeys made in the traditional single pot still style.”

Joining Redbreast 12 Year Old, Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength and Redbreast 15 Year Old, Redbreast 21 Year Old is the oldest and richest bottle in the Redbreast family. Made from a mash of malted and unmalted barley, the whiskey is triple distilled in copper pot stills and matured in a combination of American Bourbon barrels and first fill Spanish oloroso sherry casks. The 21 year aging process results in an abundantly aromatic and fruitful taste that finishes with oak and pot still spices and a final touch of barley.

A non-age statement Single Pot Still whiskey, Green Spot is comprised of pot still whiskey aged between seven and ten years, matured in a combination of new bourbon and sherry casks. It has a sweeter taste and finish with hints of licorice, sherry, plums, apricot, golden syrup, marshmallow, vanilla, toffee and butterscotch. Created with the whiskey collector in mind, only 12,000 bottles of Green Spot are produced every year.

“Both Redbreast 21 Year Old and Green Spot are characterized by full, complex flavors that leave a taste to be savored,” explained Nation. “With each, we are eager to expose the U.S. to the quintessential expression of Irish Whiskey.”

Redbreast 21 Year Old is non-chill filtered and will be available in the U.S. starting March 1, 2014 in very limited quantities at a suggested retail price of $250. Green Spot will be available starting March 1, 2014 at a suggested retail price of $50.