FIRST SIP: Mitchell & Son Red Spot

Red Spot and its brethren hail from the prolific Midleton Distillery in County Cork.

Red Spot is one of four colors and six varieties of the Spot Line of whiskeys.

Mitchell & Son is located in Dublin...this retail outlet is in the same building that houses the very popular EPIC Irish Emigration Museum.

The Spot Line of Irish whiskeys began in the 19th century when Dublin wine merchants Mitchell & Son expanded into whiskey bonding by purchasing barrels from Jameson Bow St.--and starting in 1975 from Midleton following the industry consolidation--then aging them in their own facility. The speck of paint indicated the whiskey's age, with red being the oldest at 15 years. During the collapse of the Irish whiskey industry in the middle of the 20th century, all but Green Spot disappeared, but fortunately for all of us they've made a serious comeback.

Comparisons to Redbreast 15 are inevitable with Red Spot, as they're both excellent single pot still whiskeys of the same age from essentially the same distiller, although Red Spot is finished in sherry butts & Sicilian Marsala wine casks. To our palate Redbreast 15 is a bit smoother, while Red Spot has more bite to it. We pick up notes of Granny Smith apple, black licorice, cinnamon & chestnuts, and while we've never tasted leather, it's in the aroma that infuses the flavor. 

ABV: 46%

Retail Price: About $150 (if you can find it)

Red Spot: 94 POINTS

 Red Spot is very difficult to find so if you run across it for a relatively reasonable price, do yourself a favor and pick up a bottle.