What Irish Whisky are you drinking or have you purchased in 2025?

[kcgumbohead]

We recently took a cruise with the drinks package included. My expectations were low for bourbons and ryes and the ship had an Irish pub on board. The pub featured among others Redbreast 12 and 15. I've long tried to enjoy Irish Whisky given my ancestry but my palate is firmly American. In an attempt to maximize the value of our package, I decided to torture myself with a pour of RB 15 as it was at the top end of what was covered by the package. Why torture? Well I've experienced RB12 on many occasions over the years, I even suffered through a whole bottle being too cheap to drain pour something that expensive (I should have). The bottle I had as well as pours from several others over the years resulted in the same, a STRONG aversion to the RB12 profile. The 15 shocked me!! It was actually good, I could not believe what I was tasting!! The cruise lasted 7 days and this was day 1. I had and thoroughly enjoyed RB15 each day of the cruise. On day 5 I asked for a pour of both RB15 AND 12, maybe I was wrong all those years and pours ago? NOPE the 12 was EXACTLY as I remembered, a fleeting glimpse of sweet which transitioned to a slightly longer spice (the much touted "pot still spice"???) then the vicious turn to the off putting, weird mid palate through finish that simply has me looking for the nearest place to spit it out. The 12 was shown in stark relief when AB'd against the 15 which opened with a sweetness and gradually transitioned to spice, not unlike a nice rye which it held through a long and satisfying finish. I might have actually mistaken it for a decent rye as I LOVE ryes and I think that played into my enjoyment of RB15, that and the fact that it never took on the harsh, boozy, acrid characteristics that plague that horrible 12yr. 

I was amazed and pleased by what those additional 3 yrs did, they turned something undrinkable into a very nice pour. This will never replace a good rye especially at the price they ask for that 15 yr,  buts its great to know there is an Irish whisky I can honestly enjoy, I don't have to try to convince myself there might be some redeeming quality, it actually tastes very good!!

I also know unequivocally the RB12 for me is strictly a drain pour, its bad, REALLY bad, young poorly made craft whisky bad and I will avoid it permanently from here on. Its now joined JB white label on the "consume under no circumstances" list. 

I know the 12 has fans and I'm sure it tastes good to the legions of reviewers that say they enjoy it, but for whatever reason, my palate and RB12 are no friend to one another. For those of you that enjoy the 12, hats off to ya, for those curious about the 15 or who don't care for Irish whisky, try RB15, it was a major eye opener for me and I would welcome another pour anytime. Slainte!!