Available exclusively to UK consumers via the Master of Malt online shop, the competition represents a rare opportunity to secure one of the most sought-after limited edition expressions in the annual Irish whiskey calendar. Now in its fourth year, the annual Redbreast Dream Cask release represents the fulfilment of a dream held by Master Blender, Billy Leighton, to share an annual release like no other, and features a small selection of the very finest whiskeys in Midleton’s exceptional inventory which are finished in one ‘dream’ cask to create an expression that is truly unique. 

The 2021 edition was unveiled on Friday 14^th May. Redbreast Dream Cask Oloroso Sherry Edition is a 29 year-old single pot still Irish Whiskey that celebrates the signature Redbreast style. Combining innovation, tradition and time-honoured craftsmanship by vatting together four special whiskeys, aged for a minimum of 29 years in ex-bourbon, sherry and ruby port seasoned casks, these whiskeys were married in a single outstanding oloroso sherry butt from Jerez de la Frontera in Spain’s Andalusia region. They were then left to mature for a further 15 months to bring an evolution of its characteristic flavours to the Redbreast experience. 

With an ABV of 51.2%, this rare bottling is luscious in flavour with notes of dark brown sugar, succulent berries and vanilla perfectly off-setting Redbreast’s trademark spices.  Just 924 bottles are available at an RRP of €520. 

“Our annual Dream Cask release is an opportunity for whiskey lovers to savour something truly exceptional from our warehouse,” explains Billy. “All 816 bottles of our first Dream Cask release in 2018 – a hand-selected 32 Year Old single pot still Irish whiskey finished in a first-fill Oloroso Sherry-seasoned butt – sold out on the first day of release, at a rate of more than two bottles per minute. Our 2019 release, which was created from a vatting of bourbon, Oloroso sherry and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks which were re-casked and finished in a specially selected Pedro Ximénez cask, a first for Redbreast and Midleton Distillery, sold out even more quickly, at a rate of 65 bottles per minute. Due to this phenomenal demand, we have since sought to make this highly sought-after annual release as equitable as possible, introducing a new balloting system in 2020.” 

Ian Peart, Commercial Director at Pernod Ricard UK, comments: “Our new ‘golden cork’ campaign offers six lucky winners the chance to secure a bottle of the latest Redbreast Dream Cask. We’re delighted to partner with Master of Malt on this exclusive opportunity, and at the same time, the consolation for anyone who purchases a bottle of our Redbreast 12 Year Old, but isn’t lucky enough to find a golden cork, is that they still get to enjoy an outstanding and multi award-winning single pot still Irish whiskey.” 

The fourth Redbreast Dream Cask release will be available exclusively through an online ballet hosted through Redbreast’s online members’ club, The Birdhouse. The ballot will be live from 2pm on Monday 17^th May until 2pm on Tuesday 25^th May when successful participants will be able to purchase one 500ml bottle.