"Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the smoothest of them all?" If you're lucky and the mirror is not of the whisk(e)y anorak persuasion [said geeks will rush to inform you that 'smooth' is neither an aroma, a flavour nor a sensation, so would you kindly be a tad more considerate with your descriptors] the answer may very well lie with the Green Spot of Ireland, or, to be fairer, with any of the precious few Irish single pot still whiskies currently on the market including Powers, Teeling, Dingle and, of course, Redbreast. Green Spot's been around practically forever and may very well be considered the ambassador for this style of whiskey (Redbreast and Powers fan persons feel free to raise your hand in objection). The nose is heady and aromatic, the result of a malted/unmalted barley mix, carried on the backs of good quality cask selection and a tried-and-tested vatting recipe of ex-bourbon and oloroso sherry matured spirit that goes back to the 70's. Aromas include butter and vanilla dust, fudge and fruits, especially green apples, backed up by sultanas and toasted wood. But really, what makes the nose unique is a ghostly waft of perfumed coconut oil (if you come across Dr Organic Virgin Coconut Oil Body Wash it is uncannily close to Green Spot's coconut note). Put your nose too close to the glass and you lose it, let the whiskey sit longer in the glass and it intensifies. (to really bring it out, add some water, but at baseline 40% ABV, do not expect the palate to hold) With a mouthfeel similar to fluffy clouds tumbling peacefully end-over-end upon thick velvet, the zero-burn palate follows closely the nose. Whilst not as impressive, the same pleasant collection of gentle flavour notes appears throughout from arrival to development, which adds a touch of black pepper, and into a short finish which adds spice-sprinkled honey, butter and nuts. Whilst, nowadays, a non-age-stated bottling, Green Spot has the depth of smell and taste not unlike that of a 12-14 year old whiskey, bar the finish, which is admittedly short. Everyone should experience a dram of Green Spot, at least once, preferably with company; truly, a feel good whiskey. Next stop, Green Spot's recent re-imaginings, Chateau Leoville Barton and Chateau Montelena, and I'm certainly looking forward to those.