"Not the most complex, but it has got all the essential ingredients of this style"
(Photo from Whiskybase)
In some way Green Spot played an essential role in the survival of single pot still Irish whisk as a style. From around 1887 Mitchell & Sons have been bonding whisky from the nearby Jameson Distillery in their empty wine, sherry and port casks. Even when the Irish whisky industry was almost down and out, they managed to find this particular whisky and continued selling it to local connoisseurs. They colour coded their casks for the age of the bonded whisky, with blue (7), green (10), yellow (12) and red (15 years). The most popular Green Spot was shortly switched to 12 years in 2005, before it lost its age statement all together. Apparently it now contains single pot still Irish whisky that matured between 7 and 10 years. After Yellow, a shortly available Red, I have read that Blue Spot is also on its way to complete the family once again.
Nose
Abundant overripe fruits fill the first impression followed by barley and sweet toffee. It feels very heavy, and it borders on a sweet overload of the senses. A tiny drop of water, albeit not necessary, brings overripe bananas, peaches (also overripe) and marshmallows. Then a few sugared herbs, more bananas and lychees. Rather smooth, but definitely interesting nose.
Taste
Fragrant honey on the palate, accompanied by toffee, barley sugar, marshmallows and overripe apricots. Very sweeeeet and smoooth, but it manages to remain within the comfortable zone. A rather oily mouthfeel and the 40% is perfectly okay. It also manages to feel natural despite the sweetness. A tiny drop of water (again not necessary) and I get banana, in fresh form, foams (candy) and a rather delicious ice cream, and I also find some mango (we are keep mentioning overripe overripe). I might even detect a tiny hint of liquorice, herbs and there is more honey in the aftertaste.
Overall
Overall I think that might not be the most complex and characterful of Midleton’s single pot still Irish releases, but it has all the proper ingredients. It is also perfectly smooth, enticingly sweet and has a great mouthfeel. A good introduction to this style, which thankfully we still are able to taste.
- Review 2020-049
- Single pot still Irish
- Midleton Distillery
- Irish Distillers (Pernod Ricard)
- NAS
- Unknown bottling date
- New & refill bourbon, & sherry casks
- Caramel-coloured
- Chill-filtered
- 40
- Standard range
- ±40-45
- Still available
- Whiskybase #31215
What others say
Big thanks to for sharing the sample!
Scores
• these are my personal views, so do not take them too seriously… nothing beats tasting these for yourself •
- Overripe tropical fruits
- Toffee
- Marshmallows