This Green Spot single cask is bottled exclusively for The Whisky Exchange. It is aged for 10 years after being placed into bond in 2013. Unlike the classic Green Spot pot still whiskey range, which is matured in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, this whiskey has been aged in a single ex-bourbon American oak barrel. Only 237 bottles are available from this (Cask #239852). They have been bottled at 56.6% ABV without chill-filtration. The price at The Whisky Exchange is £180.
Green Spot gets its name from the coloured marks that were traditionally painted on the end of the maturation casks by Mitchell & Son. These are the Dublin wine and spirit merchants founded in 1805. This denoted the age of the casks – a Blue Spot for seven years old, a Green Spot for ten years, Yellow Spot for twelve and Red Spot for fifteen.
Green Spot is a single pot still whiskey meaning that it is created using a mix of malted and un-malted barley. This is triple distilled in copper pot stills. Green Spot is made at the Midleton distillery in Co. Cork. This is due to a special historic arrangement with the distillery owners Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard and Mitchell & Son.
Our Tasting Notes
The colour is vibrant light gold and the nose is sweet and fruity with a touch of spice. Aromas of heather honey, vanilla fudge and brown sugar mingle with soft apple and hints of ripe peach and tropical fruits. There is also a suggestion of white chocolate and a pinch of icing sugar. The spice aromas are led by white pepper with a hint of cinnamon gingerbread.
On the palate this whiskey is sweet, spicy and expressive. Notes of delicious vanilla cream, icing sugar and creamed coconut lead the way and are joined by a hint of tobacco leaf and some milk chocolate. There is a distinct nuttiness that supports this – think of hazelnut praline, cashew and a hint of almond marzipan.
Then comes some lovely soft fruitiness. This is reminiscent of puréed pear and baked apple with a dusting of cinnamon spice and white pepper. Hints of nutmeg and clove are also evident, plus a further hint of raspberry jam in the background. A zesty late citrus note of lemon oil adds extra depth.
The finish is particularly spicy, woody and oaky. There is also a distinct peppery quality. The combination adds a pleasant heat and dryness. More of the baked apple characteristic also comes through nicely, especially as the initial sweetness fades.
What’s The Verdict?
This is a grown up and sophisticated whiskey. It demonstrates a classic single pot still flavour profile that shines with the exclusive maturation of the ex-bourbon American oak barrel. Whoever selected this at The Whisky Exchange was smart and knows what they are doing. A great example of Green Spot and Irish single pot still whiskey. It holds the high ABV very well and this strength accentuates and elevates several of the key notes. Buy one before it is gone.
