Gold Spot 9 Year Single Pot Still

After tasting the incredibly delicious and sweet Green Spot whiskey, my perception of what Irish Whiskey is and can be; changed. I thought Irish whiskies were unremarkable, rather boring blends that didn't capture any imagination. Don't get me wrong, there are some very good Irish Whiskies ( Redbreast, for example ) but I thought if you've tasted one, you've tasted them all. Boy was I wrong. And after tasting Green Spot, this set me off to find all of the "spot" whiskies I could find locally. Imagine my surprise to see this gem, sitting in the glass cabinet at my local favorite money pit of a liquor store. I just had to have it. What a delicious nose indeed. First off, you notice the presence of higher proof immediately ( vs Green Spot ). A bit of ethanol tickles your nose but doesn't overtake the other smells rather, they are enhanced. Juicy and sweet apples mix with sugary caramel and baking spices. There's a wee kiss of citrus right about 3/4 through the nose. Oh boy, I am so excited to try this taste. The palate starts rather sweet and tart, candied apples but just for a moment. A burst of caramel, vanilla and baking spice coats your tongue with a surprisingly thick mouthfeel. The feeling ( not the flavor ) is reminiscent of Blanton's Single Barrel. A bit thick and oily but not syrupy. As you get into mid taste, apple comes back on full song with some raisins and dates. The sweetness ends just for a moment as it blends to the finish. Tannic oak sweeps you off your feet and this is the dominant trait of the finish but you will notice a little sugary creme brulee shadow hanging behind the tannins. At this point, open your mouth and breathe through it a little - the sweetness hits you quickly and fades away, like a ghost sighting. My God. This is by far and away one of the best Irish Whiskies I've ever tried. In fact - if you are lucky enough to have a bottle and you've got a friend who judges Irish whiskies on swill like Jameson and Proper 12, feed them some of this stuff. Open their eyes and help them achieve enlightenment. It is that. damn. good.

Nose: Sweet golden raisins, red apple and berries, tropical fruits, some spices. Oak appears on the retro. Palate: Super creamy and soft like butterscotch candy. Baking spices and vanilla pod. Dried green fruits. Finish: Pineapple and a peppery oaky spice. Stewed apples right at the end. Delicious.

Delicious. Fruity and spicy. Creamy smooth.

Nice and heavy in a good way.

Nose - Vanilla, caramel, hints of raisin, cinnamon, oak (w/ water) same Taste - Caramel, vanilla, hint of mint, sweet raisins, dark berries, dark chocolate, gentle tingle from proof (w/ water) Not as oily, bit more drying, but otherwise same Finish - Caramel, vanilla, dark chocolate (w/ water) Same Score - 85/100 Final Thoughts - So since this was a sample, I'm not sure if it was mislabeled but initial nose screamed a cask strength port/sherry finished bourbon. All the classical bourbon notes of caramel, vanilla, hint of oak & cinnamon, with a splash of dark raisin sweet that a port or sherry barrel might impart on a bourbon. At first I thought it was just on the nose, but then once it hit the palate, it was just like what it nosed like and there wasn't much of a change there. Finish made it feel like a bourbon too. Anyway, this was the most bourbon-like Irish I've ever had. It's not a bad thing, but just felt very different from most Irish whiskies I've had. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - Maybe Would I buy a bottle? - No NOTE - All reviews are done without factoring in price.