Irish whiskey celebrating a rich legacy

Irish Distillers, makers of some of the world’s most enjoyed whiskeys, together with the Mitchell & Son celebrate the 135 years of whiskey bonding among the Mitchell family through unveiling of Gold Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey.

This limited-edition expression pays tribute to the colourful history of the Mitchell’s whiskey bonding business which commenced in 1887 when the bonders sent empty wine and fortified wine casks to the local Jameson Distillery, in Bow Street, to be filled with new single pot still spirit for maturation in its underground cellars.

Once filled, the fortified wine casks would be marked with a daub or ‘spot’ of coloured paint, to determine the age potential with Blue Spot, Green Spot, Yellow Spot and Red Spot respectively, indicating the 7, 10, 12 and 15 years of the celebrated expression within the Spot range.

Matured for a minimum of nine years, the newly unveiled expression of whisky builds on the foundation of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, typical of the Spot whiskey style, and is married together with a unique proportion of hand selected Bordeaux wine casks and port pipes. The inclusion of port casks – sourced from Irish Distillers’ long-established partners in Portugal’s Douro Valley– is a first for a modern iteration of Spot whiskey.

The nose of the whisky opens with a bouquet of autumnal berries that develop into notes of apple and pear before evolving into rich stone fruits. These are intertwined with layers of wood spices, vanilla and perfumed wine undertones. The taste of Gold Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey exudes rich pot still spices with vibrant fruits enhanced by the delicate oak tannins and wood spices, while the sweet influences of the charred and toasted oak deliver a character that embellishes the unique mix of wine-seasoned casks. The whisky has a rich and lasting finish with the intricate nature of the wine casks and pot still spices lingering.

Unveiled at Whiskey Live Dublin, the non-chill filtered release is bottled at 51.4 percent ABV or 102.8 Proof – a reference to historical methods of measuring alcohol content as noted in the Mitchell’s archive. The whisky will be available for purchase in Ireland, France, the UK and Global Travel Retail, and the US from mid-July.