Last Updated on: 12th April 2024, 01:18 am
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.
Discover the differences between Blue Spot vs Redbreast Cask Strength in this head-to-head comparison and decide which Irish Whiskey is better for You!
Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.
Written by: J Highland
Blue Spot vs Redbreast Cask Strength: Comparison
Blue Spot: It’s for those seeking an intense, full-bodied whiskey experience with the versatility for neat sipping or dilution to taste.
Redbreast Cask Strength: Appeals to enthusiasts looking for an unfiltered, powerful expression of a beloved Irish whiskey.
Key Difference: Blue Spot and Redbreast Cask Strength are both crafted at Jameson’s Old Midleton Distillery but differ in aging and barrels.
Comparison: Both whiskies showcase the excellence of cask strength Irish spirits. Blue Spot stands out for its unique aging process and higher price, offering a distinctive, flavorful journey. Redbreast Cask Strength provides a more accessible option with a focus on amplified traditional flavors, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Your choice depends on preference for flavor profiles and willingness to explore different price points.
Related: Top Irish Whiskeys for a Gift
Blue Spot: Unveiling the Untamed Spirit of Irish Whiskey
- Alcohol content: 117.4 proof (58.7% ABV)
- How to drink: Rocks, cocktails
- Similar to: Green Spot
Unleashing the Raw Potential:
- Cask Strength: Blue Spot boasts its natural alcohol content, offering an unfiltered and intense experience.
Aromatic Allure:
- Intriguing warmth: The nose carries a subtle heat that transitions into enticing notes of pear, peach, roasted almond, and vanilla, creating a captivating aroma.
Full-Bodied & Smooth:
- Luxuriously warm: Despite its higher proof, Blue Spot delivers a surprisingly smooth and full-bodied experience, providing a pleasant warmth without harshness.
Flavorful Symphony:
- Caramel & oak embrace: As the whiskey unfolds, flavors of caramel, vanilla, baking spice, and oak emerge, complemented by a touch of sherry influence.
Lingering Warmth & Delight:
- Satisfying finish: The experience concludes with a long and satisfyingly warm finish, showcasing a rich interplay of ripe fruit, baking spice, and oak.
Tame the Heat, Enhance the Experience:
- Water unlocks potential: A touch of water can gently mellow the warmth, allowing the caramel and oak notes to shine through and enhance the overall drinkability.
Beyond Proof:
- Smoothness redefined: Blue Spot demonstrates exceptional smoothness despite its cask strength, proving that higher alcohol content doesn’t necessarily equate to harshness.
Award-Winning Excellence:
- Consistently acclaimed: Blue Spot has garnered Gold medals at the Irish Whiskey Masters in both 2021 and 2022.
Blue Spot Details:
- Crafted with tradition: Made from a blend of malted and unmalted barley.
- Aged to perfection: Matured for 7 years in a unique combination of bourbon, sherry, and Madeira casks.
- Unfiltered character: Non-chill filtered, preserving the whiskey’s natural character and flavors.
- Proof varies: Each batch boasts a unique proof, adding an element of discovery to the experience.
Overall:
Blue Spot is a whiskey for those seeking an adventure beyond the ordinary. Its cask strength nature unveils the raw potential of Irish whiskey, offering a smooth, flavorful, and award-winning experience.
Redbreast Cask Strength: Uncut Power & Exquisite Flavor
- Alcohol content: 112 proof (55.8% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
- Similar to: Redbreast 12
Unleashing the Redbreast:
- Cask Strength: This expression is the Redbreast 12, bottled at its natural alcohol content, offering an intense and unfiltered experience.
Aromatic Depth:
- Rich & complex: The nose reveals a delightful aroma of brioche bread, interwoven with subtle hints of marzipan and vanilla.
Luxuriously Smooth:
- Creamy texture: Despite the higher proof, the Cask Strength boasts a surprisingly smooth and creamy mouthfeel.
Bold Flavor Journey:
- Warming start: The initial sip delivers a warming sensation, quickly transitioning to a burst of dried fruit flavors.
- Spicy depths: Bold notes of cinnamon and clove take center stage, complemented by subtle hints of caramel and vanilla for added complexity.
Lingering Warmth:
- Long-lasting finish: The experience concludes with a pleasant warmth and lingering oak and baking spice flavors.
Tame the Heat:
- Water optional: While a touch of water can temper the initial heat, this whiskey can be enjoyed neat for the full, unadulterated experience.
A Step Above:
- Signature Redbreast, amplified: This expression delivers the classic Redbreast notes, amplified by the higher proof, resulting in a richer and more intense flavor profile.
Award-Winning:
- Recognized excellence: Redbreast Cask Strength has garnered numerous accolades, including “Irish Whiskey of the Year” and “Best Irish Cask Strength.”
Redbreast Cask Strength Details:
- Crafted with tradition: Made from a blend of malted and unmalted barley, aged for 12 years in sherry and bourbon casks.
- Unfiltered experience: Non-chill filtered, preserving the whiskey’s natural character and flavors.
- Proof varies: Each batch boasts a unique proof, adding an element of discovery to the experience.
Overall:
Redbreast Cask Strength is a whiskey for adventurous palates seeking an intense and flavorful journey. Its uncut power and unfiltered character offer a unique appreciation of the Redbreast legacy.
What do the Blue Spot and Redbreast Cask Strength have in common?
The Blue Spot and Redbreast Cask Strength share a common origin as they are both produced at the Old Midleton Distillery in Cork, Ireland.
This distillery is also responsible for crafting other notable Irish whiskey brands, including Jameson.
However, it is important to mention that despite their shared distillery, these brands are owned by different parent companies.
Redbreast is owned by Pernod Ricard, a company based in France, while the Spot Whiskey, is owned by Mitchell & Sons, a Dublin-based company.
Are Blue Spot and Redbreast Cask Strength the same whiskey?
Barrel management makes them different
- The Blue Spot is aged for 7 years using Bourbon, Sherry, and Madeira casks.
- The Redbreast is aged for 12 years in Sherry and Bourbon casks.
Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Whiskey | Price |
| Blue Spot | $165 |
| Redbreast 12 Cask Strength | $90 |