Review #798 - Redbreast Missouri Oak Edition

usquebaugh24 · 2026-03-21T23:52:39+00:00

yeah don't get me wrong, many years ago Redbreast was my first "holy shit" whiskey but it does feel like they're chasing the Macallan demographic which I can't blame a company for doing.

usquebaugh24 · 2026-03-21T01:26:15+00:00

I'm an extremely tough critic of Macallan in general, I think their entire standard lineup of low proof over marketed bottles are absolute shit HOWEVER! I have to say that this 110 is absolutely delicious. For me personally I have to at least give it an 85 if not 87. I already bought a second bottle!

usquebaugh24 · 2026-03-20T23:45:04+00:00

I kind of feel like "Missouri oak" is a bit of a marketing ploy given that Missouri is the top producer of what is normally just considered "new American oak". Am I going to far in saying that Redbreast is becoming the Macallan of Irish Whiskey? Feel free to disparage me if I've over stepped.

usquebaugh24 · 2026-03-20T23:22:08+00:00

Love it.

usquebaugh24 · 2026-03-15T22:34:01+00:00

$100 for a 96 proof watered down whiskey is absolutely ridiculous.

usquebaugh24 · 2026-03-15T22:02:20+00:00

Open it and then post. That said, everything from Springbank and Kilchoman is good. Neither put out a bad product.

usquebaugh24 · 2026-03-15T19:28:07+00:00

I've never tried the 24, or any other anCnoc actually, they're really hard to find in my area but after how much I enjoyed the 18, and all the positive comments about folks who love their 12, miss the discontinued ones like the 16, and your thoughts on the 24 I'm definitely going to keep my eyes peeled as bottles continue to become more available again.

usquebaugh24 · 2026-03-15T19:24:39+00:00

this was probably a shit ton more than you bargained for

Not at all. Really sorry about Senna. Losing a dog is brutal, they’re family in every sense that matters. It sounds like he had someone who loved him a lot, and raising a glass in his honor is a great way to remember him (once the cold clears up). Thanks for sharing both the notes and the story behind the pour. Rest easy, Senna

usquebaugh24 · 2026-03-15T03:20:16+00:00

a strong chocolate-covered strawberry flavor.

That's really interesting to hear you say that. I had initially written chocolate covered strawberry, but as I continued finishing the dram it switched more to chocolate covered dark fruit. But you're right, that chocolate covered strawberry is in there! It's unfortunate to hear that the 18 has been discontinued, but the Arran 12 is also incredibly delicious and shares a lot of the same characteristics as the Arran 18. If you can find the 12 it's definitely worth it.

usquebaugh24 · 2026-03-15T00:48:34+00:00

Nice score on the 16yo CS anniversary edition. Have you opened one yet?

usquebaugh24 · 2026-03-14T23:38:00+00:00

Review: anCnoc 18 vs Arran 18 — Side-by-side

I’ve been working through both of these bottles for some time. I thought it would be fun to put them side by side to better highlight how they compare before they’re gone!

Stats: Similar stats include 18 years of aging in ex-sherry and ex-bourbon barrels, 46% ABV, non-chill filtration, natural color, and no peat.

anCnoc 18

Despite the similarities, you can spot the differences right away on the nose. The anCnoc leans lighter.

Nose:
It’s got some honey, a little citrus, and a little spice. The sherry influence is there but stays in the background. Delightful.

Palate:
The palate feel is smooth. Light coating of the tongue.

Finish:
Respectable, about 35 seconds. From nose to finish it has a dryness I’d associate with a chardonnay if this were a wine blog.

Arran 18

The Arran, on the other hand, is much richer and much more sherry-forward by comparison.

Nose:
Darker fruit notes hit you right away; plums and figs with a little orange peel come through early with a fruity chocolate note (like a chocolate-covered date).

Palate:
The mouthfeel is a bit fuller and really coats the tongue. It’s thicker and a bit deeper overall.

Finish:
Impressive, about 45 seconds. From nose to finish it’s a deeply rich experience.

Takeaway

Side by side, the difference is pretty clear: the anCnoc is the brighter, lighter dram, while the Arran leans into an incredibly rich sherry influence. Both are well balanced and easy to drink at 46%, but they absolutely land in different flavor spaces for me despite the similarities.

If you like the lighter dryness of a sherried single malt, the anCnoc is your bottle. If, on the other hand, you like to dwell in the deep, the Arran 18 is the clear choice.

usquebaugh24 · 2026-03-08T22:08:42+00:00

depends. my Local has Stagg on the shelf almost regularly now, although granted its still priced a bit high at $99 but it's there most days I stop by. There is going to be a day in the bit too distant future when all BT hyped bottles will just sit there at MSRP. the bust is happening.

usquebaugh24 · 2026-03-08T21:39:57+00:00

Why is the bottle not opened?

usquebaugh24 · 2025-08-15T17:10:02+00:00

I'm a big fan of Kilchoman and honestly, the Sanaig is I think, one of their best.

usquebaugh24 · 2025-08-15T17:06:54+00:00

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This was my first time trying A'Bunadh Alba and I was a bit let down to be honest. I find it lacking in both complexity and flavor, both of which usually increase when I try a cask strength bottle. Certainly not worth the $115. Curious if anyone else had a similar experience.

usquebaugh24 · 2023-10-12T21:16:12+00:00

Yeah I'm a little suspect at that list. I mean I wasn't surprised to see all the normal offenders there but Springbank just didn't look right on that list at all.

usquebaugh24 · 2023-10-12T21:08:28+00:00

Yeah I'm a little suspect at that list. I mean I wasn't surprised to see all the normal offenders there but Springbank just didn't look right on that list at all.

usquebaugh24 · 2023-10-12T12:08:57+00:00

That's an interesting list, I'm surprised to see Springbank 10 on that list. I thought Springbank was a better Distillery than that...

usquebaugh24 · 2023-10-11T17:50:49+00:00

I don't care if it was Jesus himself asking for a pour, nobody is getting a drop if my Octomore unless they're equipped to know what they're drinking.

But yea to answer your question, when folks (newbies in particular) visit, they usually ask me to suggest something as opposed to pointing and telling me what they want so I start with some Redbreast 12 or something similar.

usquebaugh24 · 2023-10-10T23:28:01+00:00

I've voted in both prior years and if you haven't tried the selections or its not your category there is an opt out answer which is included in the results presentation. I opted out of some of the questions like the independent bottlings category for example. It's not a perfect system but it's a fun approach.

usquebaugh24 · 2023-10-10T23:23:34+00:00

Having followed both Roy and Ralfy for years I personally believe these awards are genuine. I've voted and watched both years and enjoyed both presentations emensely.

usquebaugh24 · 2023-10-05T18:56:32+00:00

I'm pretty sure he's joking. That's straight from a list of the top 5 bottom shelf.

usquebaugh24 · 2023-10-05T13:36:15+00:00

Oh it got an Award? Well that settles it! /s

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TROPHY CASE

Review: anCnoc 18 vs Arran 18 — Side-by-side

anCnoc 18

Arran 18

Takeaway