Red Spot 15 Year Single Pot Still

Smooth and full of flavor ranging from toasted vanilla, cherries, raspberries, strawberries, dried fruit, tropical fruit like mango and a little passion fruit, and pepper with a long spicy strawberry finish.

Where the Yellow Spot is sweet and luscious, the Red brings more complexity. I especially enjoy the influence of the Marsala casks, and the extra few years in the wood are noticeable and enjoyable. Happy St. Paddy’s 2019, everyone!

I might be crazy but this tastes more like a scotch than an Irish whiskey to me. Specifically the body tastes very similar to ka va lan sherry oak bottle I have.

The second day of Irish pours. This newly (re)released spotted series is aged 15 years. A brief background on the colored spots: this was a practice of the Mitchell family which would place a colored spot on the cask to indicate its age. Blue for 8, Green for 10, Yellow for 12 and, of course, Red for 15. The Red has been triple casked in bourbon casks, Spanish sherry butts and Sicilian Marsala wine casks. This is a single pot stilled whiskey that is non-chilled filtered and bottled at 46%. Sounds good so far. Okay, onto better things (the whiskey). This is a shiny, new penny copper color. The nose begins light, fruity and sweet. Apricots, Gala apples, pears and fig jam topped with confectionery-cinnamon crumbs. Some more time brings forth candied walnuts, hazelnuts, vanilla and softened leather. Light oak spice overtones provides a gentle sweetness counter balance. A medium-light mouthfeel delivers sweetness, spice and fruit. Hot & sour sauce with cracked black pepper. Marsala wine notes come through but just enough to detect and not overwhelming. Apricots, orange, dates, plumbs with vanilla. Barley sugar works it’s way towards the finish, which only increases over time. There is a nuttiness of walnuts and almonds. That forward spice on the near initial sip subsides in the mid palate and gains momentum towards the finish. Slight oak drying tannins remain on the palate and burnt whole wheat toast. Barley sugar oscillates to a diminished amount and hints of vanilla are detectable. The flavor does diminish rather quick. However, the soul is warmed deep with red pepper, cinnamon and clove spices and remains warm for a good long length of time. Scotch and Irish whiskies, though share similar origins, are quite different and are often compared as siblings but they really are two different varieties of whiskey. Irish whiskey has, I perceive, a reputation as cheap, quick hit, down the hatch type of whiskey (I am looking at you Jameson) and scotch a sophisticated sipper for sophisticated people. However, there are those Irish whiskies that are meant for sipping and sharing. The Spot series are meant exactly for this purpose. Red Spot provides a solid, balanced, flavorful, sweet and spicy dram that’s sophisticated yet simple. I quite enjoyed this one. Worthy of seeking a pour. If you like Irish whiskies and those qualities, you will not be disappointed. [$99][92/100][Tasted: 3/16/19]

Lots of dried fruit. A bit heavy on the pallet and mouth feel. After one very enjoyable glass I was done. A special occasion dram.

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