In this edition of tastings from our whiskey library, we proudly showcase three Irish Whiskeys to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and our Five Year Wedding Anniversary. This tasting features two Irish Whiskeys we’ve enjoyed before – Ha’Penny and Red Breast 12 – along with a new addition that we’ve recently acquired – Red Breast 12 Cask Strength. We will kick things off with the Ha’Penny by Pearse Lyons Distillery. Next up are the outstanding Red Breast 12 Year offerings: one is the classic 80 proof, while the other boasts a robust cask strength at 114.4 proof-our first experience with this remarkable cask strength version. For each whiskey, we will meticulously examine the appearance, revel in the aromas, savor the taste profile, and comment on the finish. We’ve even discovered one that we’re affectionately dubbing a “Bourbon Drinker’s Irish Whiskey.” So, pour yourself a glass of Irish Whiskey, get comfortable, and sip along with us. Cheers!

ABOUT THESE BOTTLES

Ha’Penny Irish Whiskey

• Classification: Irish Whiskey
• Company: Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company
• Distillery: Pearse Lyons Distillery in Dublin, Ireland
• Mash Bill: 62% Grain (A blend of Sherry Butt Grain and Double Charred Barrel Grain), 38% Malt (A blend of Port Pipe finished Malt and First fill Bourbon Barrel Malt).
• Age: Non-age statement (NAS) blend of 4–10-year-old whiskies from four types of barrels… Bourbon, Port, Sherry and Double Charred.
• Proof: 86
• Purchased: 04/14/23 for $34.99 at Town Branch Distillery

Red Brest 12 Year Irish Whiskey

• Classification: Irish Whiskey
• Type: Pot Still Irish Whiskey; Denotes it was made from malted and un-malted barley and distilled only in a pot still.
• Distillation: Triple Distilled
• Company: Pernod Ricard
• Distillery: Midleton Distillery
• Mash Bill: 100% Malted and Unmalted Barley
• Age: 12 Years
• Proof: 80
• Purchased: 03/11/23 for $73.99 at Beverage Barn, Henderson KY

Red Brest 12 Year Cask Strength Irish Whiskey

• Classification: Irish Whiskey
• Type: Pot Still Irish Whiskey; Denotes it was made from malted and un-malted barley and distilled only in a pot still.
• Distillation: Triple Distilled
• Company: Pernod Ricard
• Distillery: Midleton Distillery
• Mash Bill: 100% Malted and Unmalted Barley
• Cask: Mixture of ex-bourbon barrels and ex-Oloroso Sherry Casks
• Age: 12 Years
• Proof: 114.4
• Purchased: 03/08/25 for $$199.99 at High Spirits, Evansville IN

AMAZON AFFILIATE LINKS (commissions earned):

• GLENCAIRN Whiskey Glass, Gift Set of 4: https://amzn.to/4ak8DOR 
• CairnCaps Bamboo Whiskey Glass Lids – Set of 6: https://amzn.to/4hgIJh0  
• CairnCradle Whiskey Glass Rack: https://amzn.to/4amLZ8k 

ABOUT IRISH WHISKEY

Irish whiskey is made from a high grain mash of barley, wheat, and corn. The exact quantities of each grain depend on the type of whiskey. The most common primary grain is barley.  The barley and be malted, un-malted, or a combination of each. The Irish Whiskey Act of 1980 defines the basic requirements for Irish whiskey. The act protects Irish whiskey by statute law and provides regulations and labeling for the spirit. The requirements include: produced and aged in Ireland; made from cereal grains that are fermented with yeast; distilled no higher than 94.8% ABV (proof of 189.6); aged in wooden casks for a minimum of three years; free of added substances with the exception of water and caramel coloring; bottled at a minimum ABV of 40% (proof of 80). For more information, please read Irish Whiskey.

**REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY**

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NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.