Wine and whiskey aren’t necessarily two notions you would put together, but trust me when I say, it’s a partnership that works.
In the last balmy days of Europe’s early autumn heatwave, I travelled to the Douro Valley – about an hour and a half’s drive from Porto – to find out more about a collaboration between an Irish whiskey brand and the Douro region’s famous Ruby Port, experiencing some of the rich flavours of the country along the way, not to mention the incredible scenery of this iconic spot in Portugal.
This is not a new partnership – the relationship between Redbreast Irish Whiskey and the Douro region spans decades, starting 30 years ago when the team travelled to the area to seek out the finest ‘caves’ and find out more about the potential flavours to combine with their whiskey. This was the start of Redbreast’s Iberian Series of whiskeys.
The masters sourced some port casks to house the single-pot whiskey and then left it to mature over 14-25 months to create an exciting new blend. The result is the Redbreast Tawny Port Cask Edition, a single pot still Irish whiskey initially matured in a combination of bourbon and oloroso sherry casks, with the final maturation period taking place in freshly seasoned tawny port casks in the Douro Valley.
So, the important question is, how does it taste? Smooth, a tiny bit sweet and definitely very festive; there are lingering spicy notes to this drink that evoke cosy nights by the fire.
Unsurprising really, as port is often perceived as a classic drink for the winter months and one of the best wines to try during the Christmas period. Though I’d stress that this whiskey tasted just as good in a late-summer setting.
There are aromas of buttery pastry and caramelised almonds, with hints of tart fruits like dry cherries, balanced with notes of toasted oak and salted caramel.
Ruby Port is famous in the Douro Valley. The easy-drinking, sweet port wine gets its name from its bright red hue and fruity flavours, which work perfectly with the more intense whiskey notes.
Sampling this new whiskey was, of course, enhanced by the backdrops provided by the beautiful Douro Valley. As well as having extraordinary culinary prowess (from some of the best pastéis de natas to dishes like ‘Feijoada’, a meat and bean stew, or locally sourced Terrincho cheese) a trip to the Douro Valley is a treat for all the senses.
The region has unique and stunning landscapes to experience, from viewing the winding Rio Douro (or ‘river of gold’ in English) at high altitude, to basking in nature on a scenic river cruise. Or you could try exploring the grounds of the Douro Valley’s grand hotels, like the Wes Anderson-esque Vidago Palace Hotel.
Even if it’s just for a cocktail on the veranda, this picturesque hotel is like something out of a gothic fairytale and will provide an atmospheric backdrop for sundowners amidst the trees.
The sunsets in the Douro Valley are a spectacular affair, the dusky pink sky and matching hotel walls making for a breathtaking backdrop for some late summer cocktails – make ours an Old Fashioned (or two). You’d be hard-pressed to find somewhere for a better culinary adventure.
My whiskey learnings
As someone who enjoys, but is fairly new, to whiskey tasting, these are a few of the pointers I picked up along the way.
- When at a whiskey tasting, don’t assault your senses by aggressively pushing your nose into your glass (as I seemed to think was the way to inhale the flavours effectively at first). Instead, take your time with the experience and allow the aromas to unfold.
- There’s no shame in adding a little bit of water to your whiskey if desired – this doesn’t weaken the taste, but can in some instances draw out the flavours.
- A good whiskey needn’t be enjoyed alone if you prefer it as part of a cocktail or long drink. We sampled a delicious whiskey Old Fashioned and refreshing Whiskey Sour as other ways to enjoy the Tawny Port Cask Edition.
- Flavours change over time, so keep the whiskey in your mouth for a little while to observe the different notes. Also, take note of the finish – the taste you are left with after you swallow whiskey – as this is an important part of the flavour journey.
Redbreast Tawney Port is available to buy now, RRP £84.99. You can find out more here.
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