It’s official: Irish whiskey is now the best in the world after the Redbreast Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey claims a prestigious 2019 award.
Ireland is known the world over for its quality range of whiskey, and it is one of the reasons to visit Ireland in 2022. Now, it’s official: Irish whiskey is the best in the world.
Ireland is widely regarded as one of the world’s best producers of the drink, with Jameson, Bushmills, and Slane, to name but a few powerhouse brands.
The informal accolade is now official; the Redbreast 12-Year-Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey has been named as the world’s best whiskey following results from a prestigious worldwide competition.
The whiskey, distilled in County Cork, Ireland, received the ‘Worldwide Whiskey Trophy 2019’ at the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC), hosted in London.
The award – an impressive score
The whiskey scored an impressive 98 points out of a possible 100 as the IWSC awarded the drink its highest honour, defeating robust competition from Irish, American, and Japanese whiskeys.
The International Wine and Spirit Competition – excellence in international wines and spirits
The International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) boasts hundreds of experts who judge for the awards seven months a year.
The IWSC describes its goal as follows:
to “award excellence in international wines and spirits worldwide, encouraging recognition for quality drinks.”
The award for the Cork-distilled whiskey comes in the 50th year of the IWSC, which has become an illustrious and renowned competition for crowning wines and spirits worldwide.
The IWSC compares the best wines and spirits from around the world and inaugurates what it feels is the best of the very best.
Redbreast’s story – originated in 1903
The Redbreast is the world’s best-selling Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, while it claimed the Irish Whiskey of the Year Award in 2010.
The Irish whiskey originated in 1903 when an agreement was reached between John James & Sons and Gilbey’s Wine Spirits Import Company, where James would send the spirit to Gilbey’s to mature.
The spirit was officially sold as ‘Redbreast’ in 1912, over a century ago. The nickname was named after the Chairman of Gilbey’s, who was a keen birdwatcher.
Gilbey’s stopped the production of whiskey in 1985 and sold the Redbreast brand to Irish Distillers, which relaunched the now award-winning brand of Redbreast in 1991.
The drink is often referred to as “Christmas Whiskey,” owing to the fruit sherry casks that the whiskey is kept in. Today, some of Redbreast’s products are labelled as the most expensive Irish whiskies on the market.
Response from Redbreast – thrilled with the award
Billy Leighton, Redbreast Master Blender at Midleton Distillery, said after receiving the award:
“We are thrilled to see more fantastic results at such prestigious global spirits tasting competitions. It is great to see the Redbreast range flourish as it continues to excite customers with its exemplary single pot still Irish whiskey style.”
Leighton continued: “These awards are truly a testament to the craftsmen at Midleton Distillery who assist me in blending the finest Irish whiskeys in the world, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds!”
Recognition for other Irish drinks – a nation of great drinks
In what was a superb result for the Irish brand in general, the Midleton Very Rare Crockett Legacy and Jameson’s Cooper Croze were also honoured at the awards. The Midleton distillery is home to Midleton, Redbreast, and Jameson whiskey ranges.
