Both Irish whiskey and Scotch whisky are grain-based spirits. Many modern Irish whiskeys are lighter or more accessible in style than their Scottish counterparts, thanks to the differences that have developed in distilling techniques. The Irish will tell you they invented whiskey-making, and it wasn’t until the Middle Ages that Irish monks brought distilling techniques across the waters to Scotland. Yet that short distance has been far enough that the two whiskeys evolved, over the centuries, into very different styles. Tasting this offers a better experience. The different tastes last longer. Being full bodied and full of different grape flavors, I think, solidifies its identity, and also makes this more memorable. NOSE: Fresh nectarines, dried fruit, wood, and barley heaps of fruity sweetness. Pepper and vanilla with caramel sweetness.

Palate: Sponge cake is the first thing that comes to mind, with those crumpets dripping with golden syrup from the nose coming through as well. Also some fruit jellies, and a late burst of oak spices coming through. In the mouth: That lovely round single pot still texture is instantly felt. It’s followed by a bit of pepperiness. Then I get light tastes of honey, apples, toffee, butterscotch, honeydew melon, cantaloupes and limoncello. The toffee and butterscotch linger. Conclusions:Overall: The Malaga effect on this whisky is very similar to the port finish on Quinta Ruban – lots of red fruits and candy. In this case, it (or the sherry) covers up the essential grain flavors that make single pot still such a fascinating category. While Redbreast 12 (which is far cheaper) showcases the nuts and coconut, Yellow Spot (while very tasty and impeccably composed) showcases the wine. Even so, Yellow Spot does not disappoint.

Appearance: Translucent amber. Really catches the light. As if you are looking through some caramelized sugar after it has cooled. Irish whiskey producers generally use a mix of malted and unmalted barley for their mash bill – unlike the Scots, who use all malted barley – and these unmalted grains may enhance earthy, oily notes in the spirit. They generally dry the grains with ovens, instead of the Scots’ traditional peat fires, so with some exceptions Irish whiskeys don’t have the smoky aromas that characterize many scotch whiskies. Finally, Irish whiskeys are typically distilled three times, which is one more go-around than is usual for most scotch whiskies. Gold Spot was released in commemoration of the 135th year of Spot Whiskey releases by Mitchell & Son in June 2022 using whiskey matured in bourbon barrels, sherry butts, Bordeaux wine casks, and Port pipes, non-chill filtered, aged for 9 years and bottled at 51.4% ABV. Four generations later, Mitchell & Son is still in the wine and spirits business under the stewardship of Jonathan Mitchell and his son Robert. Irish Distillers now owns the Yelllow and Green Spot brands but Mitchell & Son retain the sole rights to market the whiskey in Ireland.In May 2012, Mitchell & Son re-introduced the Yellow Spot variant based on information in company archives. [2] Bottling of Yellow Spot had previously ceased in the 1950s, but information in original company journals and ledgers allowed Mitchell & Son to determine the original Yellow Spot was a blend of 12-year-old pot still whiskeys that were matured in a combination of Malaga wine casks (which impart a slightly sweet taste), [2] bourbon barrels, and sherry butts. [2] There’s this persistent grape skin note that keeps coming and going in the mouth. I like it, but it covers up the round texture that I always look forward to in the Spot range. I’d liken this to drinking a worm tub-condensed whisky with a semi-round texture, if there’s whisky like that. Score: 7/10 If we decide not to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these Terms, such decision shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

We may sell, license, transfer, assign or in any other way dispose of the Service (including Members) to any third party without any notification to you, e.g. (but without limitation) in connection with any reorganization, restructuring, merger or sale, or other transfer of assets. Merchants, Mitchell and Son Wine. "Green Spot Single Cask". Mitchell and Son Wine Merchants . Retrieved 2022-11-07.Yellow Spot is a Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. Irish single pot still whiskey doesn’t mean it’s single distilled, but that it’s triple distilled in traditional copper pot stills within a SINGLE distillery. Unlike Green Spot, which didn’t carry an age statement, Yellow Spot is a 12 year old whiskey which was aged in a combination of American ex-bourbon barrels, Spanish sherry, and Spanish Malaga casks. Yellow Spot Irish whiskey was originally produced by the Mitchell family who commenced trading as whisky brokers in 1805 at 10 Grafton Street, Dublin. In 1887 the company moved to nearby Kildare Street and it is around this time that the Mitchells started bonding (maturing) whiskey.

On the nose: There are mostly light fruity aromas. I immediately smell Granny Smith apples, limoncello, papayas, dried apricots, Mandarin oranges, and honey. Green Spot was first released in 1933, followed by a few more Spot colours. However, the bonder’s style category whiskies disappeared when distillery bottled releases took over the market. Green Spot was the last to be discontinued in the 1950s. Fortunately, Green Spot was reintroduced to the market in the early 2000s, and Yellow Spot whiskey followed in 2012 Appearance: Reddish- brown to auburn. Distinctive to the others in the line up with a more red tinge. Similar viscous effect while swirling the glass. Palate: Very satiny texture with a sophisticated, chic layering. The hints that the aroma gave you live up to expectations. The longer aging has definitely imbued more oak characteristics, but the Malaga rounds all of the tannins off while complimenting the sweetness of the barley.

The Blue Spot was reintroduced to the market in late 2020. Like the Red Spot, it was previously gone since the 1960s. What makes this unique is that it’s the only Spot that’s bottled at cask strength and has a single digit age statement. It’s aged in ex-Bourbon, ex-Sherry and ex- Madeira casks. The ABV varies by batch. So far, the lowest has been 56%-ish and the highest has been 58%-ish. Note that the Green Spot may be an NAS, but Irish Distillers say it’s a blend of at least seven to 10 year old whiskey. Like all the Spots, this one is also non-chill filtered. a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Spot Whiskey". www.singlepotstill.com. www.singlepotstill.com/ . Retrieved 9 January 2017. The "Spot" range of whiskeys are amongst a handful of single pot still whiskeys in existence today, with Green Spot being the only one to have remained in continuous production since the early 1900s ( Redbreast, the other long established Irish single pot still whiskey, briefly ceased production in the 1980s). Although once the most popular style of whiskey consumed in the world, pot still whiskey fell out of favor in the 20th century, due in part to the rise of cheaper, less intense blended whiskeys. [15] As a result of declining demand, most Irish whiskeys were either reformulated as blends or discontinued.