Part of the range of redbreast’s award winning Irish Pot Still Whiskeys

Photo, courtesy Redbreast/Irish Distillers Ltd

Irish single pot still whiskey continues to define the benchmark for premium Irish whiskey. Produced exclusively in Ireland from a mash of malted and unmalted barley and triple distilled in traditional copper pot stills, this style combines exceptional richness, creamy texture, and the distinctive spicy character that has defined Irish whiskey for more than two centuries. At the 2026 Beverage Testing Institute (BevTest) competition, six exceptional expressions achieved Platinum Medal status with scores of 96 points or higher. They represent the pinnacle of contemporary Irish whiskey. Produced at Midleton Distillery in County Cork, these bottlings showcase the extraordinary breadth and sophistication of Ireland’s signature whiskey style. Below are brief backgrounds along with my tasting notes and the BevTest Judging Panel’s commentary.

Blue Spot 7-Year-Old Cask Strength Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, 58.2% ABV (varies by batch), 750 ml. Platinum Medal, 96 Points

Blue Spot revives one of Mitchell & Son’s historic Spot whiskeys, first introduced over a century ago. Matured for at least seven years in bourbon barrels, sherry butts, and Madeira wine casks before bottling at natural cask strength, it combines youthful vibrancy with remarkable complexity while retaining the rich texture that defines single pot still whiskey.

The whiskey features aromas of tropical fruit, ripe peach, green apple, honey, vanilla, toasted almonds, citrus zest, cinnamon, and clove with subtle Madeira sweetness.

It’s powerful yet remarkably balanced on the palate, with an oily, mouth-coating texture, showcasing stone-fruit, sweet malt, caramel, toasted oak, candied citrus, baking spices, and creamy vanilla.

The finish is long, sweet, and warming with lingering notes of black pepper, citrus peel, toasted oak, dried fruit, and honey.

The BevTest Judging Panel described the whiskey as featuring “aromas of black tea, caramel roll, and spice cake, along with flavors of cinnamon spiced pecans, clover honey, and waffle cone. Warm and spicy, this winter warmer will elevate your Irish Coffee and make you cozy.”

Redbreast 21-Year-Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, 46% ABV. Platinum Medal, 96 Points

Widely regarded as one of the world’s finest Irish whiskeys, Redbreast 21 Year Old spends over two decades maturing in a combination of ex-bourbon barrels and Oloroso sherry butts. The extended maturation produces extraordinary integration between the rich pot still spirit and the influence of premium American and Spanish oak.

The whiskey features complex aromas of tropical fruits, dried apricots, figs, orange marmalade, honey, vanilla, toasted hazelnuts, seasoned oak, and fragrant spices.

It’s silky, rich, and incredibly well-integrated on the palate, showcasing flavors of mango, pineapple, raisins, marzipan, crème anglaise, butterscotch, cinnamon, and toasted oak that combine with the signature creamy pot-still texture to create one of the world’s great whiskeys.

The finish is exceptionally long, smooth, and elegant, with lingering notes of dried fruits, vanilla, sweet oak, and warming spices.

The BevTest Judging Panel described the whiskey as featuring “aromas of butterscotch, almond vanilla paste, and citrus creme caramel, along with flavors of cinnamon toast, maple oatmeal, and dried apricot. A decadent, warm, and caramel-forward Irish that finishes dry with baking spice.”

Powers Three Swallow Release Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, 40% ABV, 760 ml. Platinum Medal, 96 Points

Powers Three Swallow revives a historic style once reserved for public houses that sold whiskey directly from the cask. Produced from the traditional mash of malted and unmalted barley and matured in a combination of American oak bourbon barrels and Oloroso sherry casks, it captures the spicy, robust house character that has long distinguished Powers from other Irish whiskeys.

The whiskey features aromas of fresh orchard fruits, honey, vanilla, toasted grain, cinnamon, clove, baked apple, and subtle citrus, layered over earthy pot-still spices.

It’s medium-to-full-bodied on the palate, with a rich, creamy mouthfeel. It showcases flavors of sweet cooked malt, baked pear, toffee, roasted nuts, vanilla, ginger, and black pepper, supported by well-integrated oak.

The finish is long, sweet, and satisfying, with lingering notes of honey, toasted grain, oak spices, and the characteristic dry, peppery finish that defines the Powers style.

The BevTest Judging Panel described the whiskey as featuring “aromas of grilled stone fruits, apples, and seasoned wood, along with flavors of honey buttered biscuit, hazelnut milk, and granola. A clean, lightly fruity, lightly creamy Irish Single Pot Still Whiskey that will be versatile.”

The six Platinum Medal winners demonstrate why Irish single pot still whiskey remains one of the world’s most distinctive and sophisticated whiskey styles. From the extraordinary maturity of Redbreast 27 YO and Redbreast 21 YO to the cask-strength intensity of Powers John’s Lane and Blue Spot, and the subtle sophistication of Barry Crockett Legacy and Powers Three Swallow, each expression highlights a distinct facet of Ireland’s unique distilling tradition. Collectively, they reaffirm Midleton Distillery’s position as the global standard-bearer for single pot still whiskey and illustrate how thoughtful maturation, exceptional distilling, and unwavering respect for tradition continue to produce some of the finest whiskeys in the world.