Short of the special wine cask Green Spots, my most recent pick up has completed my Spot Whiskey vertical collection. I have been told that Blue Spot is the best of all of the Spot Whiskies and boy, it had better live up to the hype because being the best in this bunch is a tall order. Right off the bat, the nose smells of a higher proof but ethanol heat doesn't drown out the subtle hints of baking spice and ginger. A bit of caramel and hazelnut swirl around with black peppercorn. This one definitely smells spicier than the others. The first thing you notice is just how full and creamy the mouthfeel is. Sugary milk chocolate melts on your tongue as you first take in the taste. As it goes down, spicy peppercorn flourishes then is pleasantly replaced by super creamy vanilla. Wow.... its almost like a vanilla milkshake for a moment there. Toward the back of the taste brings toasted hazelnuts which is just about the most perfect pairing with the vanilla. The finish is long and keeps the spice. As expected from a cask strength selection, that finish does dry out a bit. Along with the lingering nutty vanilla taste slowly fading from the palate, a bit of drying oak tannins joins the party, all the while the tongue tingle from the peppercorns early on slowly fades into the distance. Ok... I will concede. Blue Spot is good. But I am personally torn between Blue Spot and Gold Spot as being the best of the Spot lineup. They're both outrageously, completely and utterly delicious Irish Whiskies. And if you know a Irish Whiskey hater like I once was, give them a taste of this or Gold Spot. Guaranteed that they'll never look at Irish Whiskies the same again. I sure as hell know that I don't and have fully embraced the segment.