The Spot Irish Whiskeys are a much beloved staple of the traditional Irish Pot Still style. The range includes the Blue, Yellow, Gold, Red and Green Spot, the latter of which was just released as a 10-year-old single cask for The Whisky Exchange.
There are three main types of pot still distillates produced at Midleton, the distillery were Green Spot is made. Starting with ‘Light Pot’, followed by ‘Medium Pot’ and finally ‘Heavy Pot’. All the Spot whiskeys are said to have been made from the medium pot still style.
Green Spot is the, shall we say, entry-level version of the brand. Said to be between 7 and 10 years old, so not much younger than the single cask below. I reviewed it many years ago. The original expression matures in a combination of first-fill and refill bourbon casks as well as sherry casks.
What makes the Green Spot Single Cask from The Whisky Exchange stand out? For one, it’s bottled at cask strength. Also, it matured in a single bourbon barrel, allowing for an unadulterated taste of pot still spirit. And finally, it costs 180 pounds. Four times as much as the regular Green Spot, and comfortably twice as much as the Blue Spot, a slightly younger but cask strength pot still Irish whiskey.
I’m not sure I can justify the price. Single casks of pot still Irish whiskey from Midleton have always been expensive, whether it be a Redbreast, Power’s or one of Spot brands. But releasing this in the current struggling market? The Green Spot Single Cask will probably sit on The Whisky Exchange’s digital shelves for a while.
Green Spot 2013 10 Years (56.6%, OB for The Whisky Exchange, C#239852)
Nose: This doesn’t need much time – there’s an immediate intense and creamy fruitiness. Very bright, fresh and summery. Tart green apples, pear skin and sweet pastries, as well vanilla ice crem, cantaloupe and coconut. There’s something zesty too, which I don’t ever mind. Then maybe, just maybe, also a hint of crème brûlée.
Taste: So, so buttery. Sublime. Hints of brioche buns, croissants and apfelstrudel with warm vanilla sauce. There’s a touch of lemon pith, but also stewed apple and gooseberries. Gentle spices linger in the background. A sprinkle of white pepper, some cinnamon and mint leaves.
Finish: Medium length. Some greener touches now as well, but the buttery fruitiness remains, while spices tingle the senses.
Sample provided by The Whisky Exchange
