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Irish Distillers
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Irish Distillers, Green Spot Pure Pot Still Whiskey (Ireland) 
Green Spot is that rarest of beasts, a surviving Irish pure pot still whiskey. It is produced for the historic Dublin wine merchant Mitchell & Son by Irish Distillers in its Midleton distillery in County Cork.
The only other example of the genre is Redbreast, also distilled at Midleton, and made from a mixture of malted and unmalted barley, being triple-distilled in traditional copper pot stills. While the principal Redbreast bottling is a 12-year-old, Green Spot comprises whiskeys aged from seven to 12 years, some 25 per cent of which have been matured in ex-Sherry casks. It also differs from Redbreast in that the ‘new-make’ spirit is heavier in character. Only a limited number of bottles are produced each year, making Green Spot one of the more elusive whiskeys on the market, but it is very definitely worth seeking out.
The nose is sweet, with nougat and maraschino cherries, plus a contrasting bite of pepper and rye. Coconut and cedar when water is added. Smooth, oily and insinuating in the mouth, with a pleasingly spicy cereal and citric edge. Medium to long in the finish, with ginger and a hint of Sherry. At its best undiluted.
40.0% ABV, 70cl, £41.00, Mitchell and Son, specialist whisky merchants. |  |
Irish Distillers, Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy (Ireland)
Irish Distillers say that “Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy pays tribute to our celebrated second generation Master Distiller and to the person, who more than anyone, has shaped with the world- famous Midleton style. Representing a personal selection by Barry Crockett of first fill Bourbon whiskeys, with an inspired inclusion of whiskey which has been matured in unseasoned American barrels, this expression displays a distinctive pot still complexity, yet is refined and poised on the finish.” It carries no age statement, but comprises whiskeys aged for between 10 and 22 years.
Sweet on the nose, with coconut ice, American cream soda and vanilla. Fruity sweetness carries over onto the palate, which then develops a rye-like spicy, peppery, oiliness and more citrus notes. Gingery, nutty, drying, astringent and oaky in the finish. 46.0% ABV, 70cl, £140.00, specialist whisky merchants.  |  |
Irish Distillers, Power’s John’s Lane Release (Ireland)
According to Irish Distillers, “Powers John’s Lane Release honours the silent distillery and spiritual home of the Powers brand at John’s Lane in Dublin. This new expression features a distillate which is true to the pot still style of the original distillery and bears the distinctive honey and spice style that made Powers famous. Bearing a 12-year-old age statement, the whiskey has been matured in first fill Bourbon barrels with a contribution of whiskey which has been matured in oloroso Sherry butts.”
Vanilla, new leather, nougat and carnations on the slightly salty nose. Sunflower oil and, ultimately, a whiff of molasses. Full-bodied in the mouth, with an oily texture, soft and inviting. Dried fruits, spices and nuts. Medium length in the slick, nutty finish. 46.0% ABV, 70cl, £44.00, specialist whisky merchants. |  |
Irish Distillers, Redbreast 15-year-old Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey (Ireland)
In 2007 Irish Distillers produced a one-off 15-year-old expression of Redbreast to celebrate the 50th anniversary of La Maison Du Whisky in Paris, and such was its reception that last year a decision was taken to offer ‘Redbreast 15’ as an ongoing release to stand alongside the regular 12-year-old variant.
Redbreast is one of the last surviving true Irish pot still whiskeys, triple distilled in pot stills from a mix of malted barley and unmalted grains. The 15-year-old expression is produced at 46%abv and is not chill-filtered.
Sherry, marzipan and Christmas cake notes on the nose; lush and oily with figs. A classic, pot still Irish palate, slick and buttery, with spicy Sherry, olives and rye notes. Lengthy in the finish, with enduring oil, citrus fruit and spices. 46.0% ABV, 70cl, £65.00, specialist whisky merchants. |  |
Irish Distillers, Yellow Spot (Ireland)
Many aficionados of Irish pot still whiskies will be familiar with Green Spot, but the resurrection of Yellow Spot, first produced for Dublin wine and spirits merchant Mitchell & Son, but discontinued during the 1960s, adds another weapon to the increasing armoury of Irish Distillers Ltd’s ‘single pot still portfolio.
Yellow Spot has been matured for 12-years in three cask types, namely ex-Bourbon barrels, Spanish sherry butts and uniquely, Spanish Malaga casks. It is to be released annually in batches of just 500 cases.
Sweet and oily on the nose, with vanilla, Bounty bars and peaches in syrup. Icing sugar and fragrant Madeira notes. Very spicy on the palate, mouth-coating, with citrus fruits, roasted coffee beans and toasted oak. Long and relatively dry in the finish.
46.0% ABV, 70cl, €65, specialist whisky merchants. |  |
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