Green Spot have long been one of our favourite bottlings of Midleton whiskey, but this expression raises the bar even higher. The brand originally began as a small-scale maturation operation by Mitchell and Son wine merchants in Dublin. Indeed, they initially had the idea to begin producing “bonded” whiskey when they considered their considerable stocks of empty port and sherry casks.
This bottling celebrates that wine-soaked history, finishing the Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey in Bordeaux casks – apparently the first Irish whiskey of this style to ever do this! These are not just any old Bordeaux casks, but casks from the Château Léoville Barton! This is significant as the Château was founded by an Irishman, Thomas Barton, the vineyard continues to be run by his descendants.
This cracking dram was first matured in former Oloroso Sherry casks, former Bourbon barrels and fresh American oak casks, before a finishing period of between 1 and 2 years in the Château Léoville Barton casks. The result is a rich and decadent Irish whiskey, which enamours with beautiful fresh fruit flavours of strawberry, raspberry and cherry. The whiskey retains its triple distilled, Single Pot-Still classic grassy quality, but adds warming woodspice, dense toffee and vanilla. Thankfully, Green Spot Château Léoville Barton is bottled without chill-filtration at 46% ABV, which allows the flavours to appear vivid and full. One of the best Irish whiskies around!
