Redbreast Dream Cask 29 Years Old

An annual, highly coveted 29-year-old single pot still, celebrated for its complex vatting of four historic whiskies finished in a single Oloroso sherry butt.

At-a-Glance:

Historical Context

The Redbreast Dream Cask series is an annual, highly exclusive release initiated by Master Blender Billy Leighton to share a uniquely exceptional pot still whiskey with members of the Redbreast Whiskey Club. Launched annually around World Whisky Day, the Dream Cask represents the pinnacle of Midleton's aged pot still inventory.

The 2021 release, the Oloroso Sherry Edition IV, is particularly complex. It is a 29-year-old single pot still Irish whiskey, but its liquid profile is built upon a vatting of four separate, historic whiskies distilled between 1989 and 1991. These four whiskeys were individually matured in highly diverse casks: ex-bourbon, sherry-seasoned, and ruby port-seasoned casks. This complex, multi-cask maturation profile is intentional, designed to provide a wide spectrum of mellow fruit flavours and pot still spices before their final integration.

The defining characteristic of this 2021 release is the final 15-month marriage in a single Oloroso Sherry Butt (Cask #400294). This extended final finishing period, which lent the expression its title, ensures that the deep, nutty, and dried fruit character of the Oloroso sherry dominates the bouquet. With an extremely limited outturn of only 924 bottles and adherence to premium specifications (51.2% ABV, non-chill filtered, natural colour), this bottling is a prime collector's piece and a testament to the sophistication of modern Irish blending.

Technical Specification & Variant Map

The Redbreast Dream Cask 29 Year Old is technically defined by its exceptional age and high-proof, natural presentation.

2.1 Documented variants:

• 51.2% ABV/50cl (500ml) is the sole and exclusive format for this bottling.
• The liquid is composed of four single pot still whiskies distilled in 1989 and 1991.
• The final maturation process involved an Oloroso sherry butt finish after combining components from ex-bourbon, sherry-seasoned, and ruby port casks.

Variant Matrix:

2.2 Packaging & authenticity checklist:

The bottle is clearly marked with the age (29 Year Old), the strength (51.2% ABV), the release year (2021), and the specific cask number (400294). Crucially, the bottle number (e.g., 142 of 924) must be visible on the label or packaging. It is confirmed to be non-chill filtered and natural colour (very dark amber).

2.3 Regulatory/terminology notes:

The liquid is a Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, distilled in copper pot stills at the Midleton Distillery using a mashbill of both malted and unmalted barley. Non-Chill-Filtered (NCF) ensures maximum flavour retention and a viscous, oily texture. The high ABV (51.2%) ensures the intensity of the long maturation is preserved.

Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)

The profile is dominated by the complexity of the pot still spice and the heavy influence of the long sherry and port maturation.

Nose: Starts with dark fruit notes, raisins, and dried peaches, coupled with soft vanilla notes and a touch of oak. A souvenir of banana and orange peel suggests the initial bourbon maturation. The aroma feels velvety.

Palate: A rich, complex, and smooth taste. The blend exhibits a wide spectrum of mellow fruit flavours and pot still spices, with a pronounced dominance of sherry and dried fruit characteristics.

Finish: Very smooth and long. The lengthy finish is marked by persistence of the dark fruit and pot still spice.

With water: Not stated by the producer.

4. Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)

The Redbreast Dream Cask 29 Year Old is an ultra-premium collectible, with auction pricing reflecting its extreme rarity and age.

Original RRP (GBP): Circa 323.00 GBP (Converted from 380 EUR on release).

Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): Not consistently listed due to exclusivity; secondary retail prices are highly speculative and exceed 1,150.00 GBP.

Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): 977.50 GBP (Sep 2023), 1,000.00 GBP (Estimate, unspecified date).

Pricing stratification: The 50cl format and high ABV, coupled with the exclusive outturn of 924 bottles, guarantees high pricing. The auction price of approximately 1,000.00 GBP confirms its status as a top-tier investment Irish whiskey.

Liquidity & sourcing note: Liquidity is very low, restricted primarily to specialist auctions and private sales due to its club exclusivity.

Price Snapshot:

5. Distillery/Bottler Snapshot (brief)

Redbreast is the flagship single pot still brand from the Midleton Distillery in County Cork, Ireland, owned by Irish Distillers (Pernod Ricard). The brand is globally renowned for its adherence to the traditional pot still method, producing a spirit with a heavy, oily texture and characteristic spice. Redbreast whiskies are typically aged extensively in sherry casks. The Dream Cask series specifically showcases the finest and oldest components of the distillery's immense pot still inventory.

6. Sourcing:

• Target formats/eras to prefer: The 29 Year Old 2021 release (Edition IV) is the specific target. Verification of the 924 bottle outturn and the specific cask vatting is essential.
• Red flags to avoid: Any bottle lacking a visible bottle number or showing signs of tampering with the wax seal, common for premium single casks.
• Condition thresholds (fill/box/labels): Pristine condition of the original packaging is mandatory. High fill level is expected given the age.
• Margin/velocity expectations - qualitative: Velocity is low. Margin potential is high due to rarity and dedicated collector base.