- Lifestyle & Sports
- 12 Jul 21
“Mr. Dylan is a perfectionist and knows his whiskey," Redbreast Master Blender Billy Leighton said of the songwriting legend, Bob Dylan. "His engagement and enthusiasm for this collaboration made this project even more special.” To which we can only say: ..
Heaven's Door Whiskey, Bob Dylan's evolving collection of American whiskey, and Redbreast Irish Whiskey, the world-renowned Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, have released their first collaboration. And very special it is too: a limited-edition 10-Year Aged Bourbon finished in Redbreast casks that has been getting rave reviews from aficionados.
Before you start rushing off to the local off-licence to make a judicious purchase, this unique bourbon really is a limited edition and will thus only be available in limited numbers.
Fear not: you are indeed in with a chance of snaffling one of these beautifully bottled items for yourself. To celebrate this unique collaboration, here at Hot Press, in partnership with Redbreast, we're giving away a bottle to one lucky winner in an exclusive competition! To enter, see our competition here.
This collaboration for both brands – with the name of the greatest songwriter of the modern era effectively above the metaphorical door – was created in tandem by Master Blenders, Ryan Perry of Heaven’s Door and Billy Leighton of Redbreast Irish Whiskey, and has been aptly named, “The Master Blenders’ Edition.” Marrying the best of American and Irish whiskey, The Master Blenders’ Edition has already been awarded a Double Gold medal in a blind tasting in the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
The collaboration has been more than two years in the making: Perry and Leighton worked together on a multitude of blends and barrel finishes to arrive at their final whiskey profile.
As a lover of Irish Whiskey, Heaven’s Door Founder, Bob Dylan, worked closely with the Master Blenders and sampled over a dozen blends before settling on the final selection.
“Mr. Dylan is a perfectionist and knows his whiskey,” says Billy Leighton, Redbreast Irish Whiskey’s Master Blender. “His engagement and enthusiasm for this collaboration made this project even more special.”
The Master Blenders’ Edition features Heaven’s Door 10-year aged Straight Bourbon, finished in Redbreast’s signature Single Pot Still Casks for 15 months, extracting flavour from single pot Irish whiskey and formerly Spanish sherry. The end result is a taste profile unlike any American whiskey, and delivers prominent notes of nuts, spice and leather, as well as the influence of sherry, citrus, dark fruit, and a subtle sweetness of Yellow Man from the Redbreast casks.
“We’re honoured to have had the opportunity to work with Billy and the rest of the Redbreast team to bring The Master Blenders’ Edition to life,” says Perry. “Heaven’s Door was founded around the spirit of collaboration, and this was a dream partnership for our brand. I can honestly say that the final flavour profile blew us away.
“The Master Blenders’ Edition allows both the American and Irish Whiskey distilling traditions to shine through,” adds Leighton. “We think fans of Redbreast, Heaven’s Door, and whiskey enthusiasts everywhere, will be delighted with what they taste with this product.”
The Master Blenders’ Edition is offered in Heaven’s Door’s signature bottle, featuring a new gate design created by Bob Dylan himself, in his Black Buffalo Ironworks studio, as well as Redbreast’s iconic Robin. In addition to his world-changing work as a musician, songwriter, poet and storyteller, Bob Dylan is a highly regarded visual artist.
The Master Blenders’ Edition is best enjoyed neat; on the rocks; or with a splash of water and features the following characteristics:
● Age: 10 Years
● Proof: 100
● ABV: 50%
● Nose: Full and complex body with notes of red apples, figs and dates
● Palate: Marzipan and walnut with buttery ground nut sweetness, raisin, and nougat
● Finish: Delicate with a touch of honey and coconut and subtle sweetness from Irish honeycomb
See heavensdoor.com and redbreastwhiskey.com for more - and enter our competition here.