Redbreast 12
Midleton, County Cork, Ireland
Single pot still whiskey from a mash of malted and unmalted barley, triple distilled in copper pot stills and matured 12 years in ex-bourbon and sherry casks.
- Age statement
- 12 years
- Aging
- 12 years, ex-bourbon and sherry casks
- Grains
- barley
- Congeners
- High
- Histamines
- Moderate
- Polyphenols
- Moderate
- Sulfites
- Low
- Tannins
- Moderate
- Sugar
- Very Low
- Additives
- Low
- Calories
- 98
- Sugar
- 0g
14g ethanol at 40% ABV. No sugar, so every calorie here is alcohol.
In its favor
- ✓Age-stated, no grain whiskey filler
- ✓Bottled at 40%
What to watch
- !All-pot-still barley spirit carries more congeners than a grain-led blend
- !Sherry casks can contribute sulfites
- !Barley means gluten
Factor by factor
Congeners High ▾
Byproducts of fermentation (methanol, acetaldehyde, fusel alcohols). Strongly linked to hangover severity; darker, less-distilled spirits carry more.
Histamines Moderate ▾
Produced by bacteria during fermentation/aging. Trigger flushing, headaches, congestion in sensitive drinkers. High in red wine, beer, aged spirits.
Polyphenols Moderate ▾
Plant compounds with antioxidant activity. Slightly protective at low doses but at high concentrations may worsen hangover via tannin/quercetin reactions.
Sulfites Low ▾
Preservatives (SO₂) added to wine and some beers. Common trigger of headaches, asthma, and allergic-type reactions.
Tannins Moderate ▾
Astringent polyphenols from skins, seeds, barrels. Bind proteins, slow alcohol clearance, and aggravate dehydration-style symptoms.
Sugar Very Low ▾
Residual sugar amplifies hangover via blood-sugar swings and dehydration. Liqueurs and cocktails are the main offenders.
Additives Low ▾
Colorants, flavorings, glycerin, propylene glycol, sorbates. Cheap spirits and ready-to-drinks often hide these in trade-secret formulas.
Redbreast 12 is the benchmark single pot still. With no grain whiskey to thin it out and twelve years in wood, it carries a heavier congener load than the blends in this category.
Redbreast 12 questions
How many calories are in a shot of Redbreast 12? ▾
About 98 calories in a 1.5oz shot at 40% ABV. All of them come from the alcohol, since there is no sugar.
Does Redbreast 12 have sugar? ▾
No. Redbreast 12 has 0g of sugar per 1.5oz serving.
Is Redbreast 12 gluten-free? ▾
Not by label. Redbreast 12 is distilled from barley, so US rules bar it from claiming gluten-free. Distillation does remove the gluten protein, and the Celiac Disease Foundation considers distilled spirits safe for most coeliacs. If you would rather avoid the question, pick a spirit distilled from corn, potato, grape or agave.
What is Redbreast 12 made from? ▾
Redbreast 12 is made from malted and unmalted barley.
What proof is Redbreast 12? ▾
Redbreast 12 is 80 proof, which is 40% alcohol by volume.
Does Redbreast 12 give you a bad hangover? ▾
Redbreast 12 scores 6/10 on the SpiritFacts Hangover Index, against 6/10 for irish whiskey overall. The main drivers are its congeners.
Is Redbreast 12 vegan? ▾
Yes. Redbreast 12 is listed as vegan, with no animal-derived ingredients or fining agents.