Yellow Spot 12 Year Single Pot Still

CLONAKILTY PORT CASK FINISH IRISH WHISKEY LIMAVADY SINGLE BARREL SINGLE MALT IRISH WHISKEY YELLOW SPOT 12-YEAR SINGLE POT STILL IRISH WHISKEY This "random Showdown" review feels a bit mismatched. The Clonakilty and Limavady lack an age statement, while the Yellow Spot is 12 years old. The Limavady is a single malt, but the Clonakilty and Yellow Spot are blends (the former sourced from various distilleries, the latter a single-sourced blend with different cask finishes). Clonakilty and Limavady are similarly priced, while Yellow Spot costs about three times as much. The only common element is that each is a genuine Irish Whiskey, and any commonality is sufficient for another Showdown. The goal of these Showdown reviews isn't to pick a definitive winner, but to better grasp the subjectivity of appreciating whiskies based on context and comparison. CLONAKILTY PORT CASK FINISH IRISH WHISKEY Appears burnt-orange amber, the second darkest (or lightest) of the group, similar to Pantone 144. Its aroma is fruity, offering notes of apples, peaches, sweet cherries, a hint of honey, and vanilla. The taste is sweet and smooth, reminiscent of strawberry ice cream, yet it remains light. A slight bitterness emerges at the end, adding complexity rather than detracting, before a touch of white pepper and lingering honey and vanilla on the finish. I had not encountered Clonakilty before, and it was a welcome surprise. Based on the label, I anticipated something richer due to the port finish. The whiskey has some body, but it's generally quite fruity. This particular Clonakilty bottling can be purchased for $50-55. Would I get it again? Yes. Rated 3.75. 43.6% ABV. Not chill filtered. Batch # 038. 7,000 bottles made. It's unclear if coloring was added. LIMAVADY SINGLE BARREL SINGLE MALT IRISH WHISKEY In the glass, it looks like dried hay and light amber, possessing the palest color of the three whiskies in this comparison (Pantone 143). Initially, a fleeting herbal quality (parsley? Bell pepper?) dissipates quickly. A distinct banana chip note is present, along with Circus Peanuts marshmallow candy, some Cheerios cereal, and after much deliberation between the three whiskies, some butterscotch. There's also a musty, damp wood aroma that isn't unpleasant, instead evoking images of Irish Whiskey aged in subterranean cellars. A pleasant oiliness is found on the palate, with more of the circus peanuts, before a peppery sensation appears alongside the same Circus Peanuts, some mildly bitter espresso, and a hint of toffee on the finish. The Limavady is the sole single-malt, single-barrel Irish whiskey in this selection. Subjectively, it feels more 'contained' than the other two, making it more challenging to articulate. The single-barrel nature means variations can occur between bottlings annually and even within the same year. One cannot establish a trend from a single data point, but my experience with this one will compel me to try another at some point. At $40-50, the Limavady offers good value, especially given its uniqueness. Would I purchase it again? Yes. Rated 3.5+. As a side note: observe the image accompanying this review. The Limavady features the most difficult stopper I've ever encountered on anything edible or drinkable, short of a child-proof medicine cap. It's solid glass with a silicone seal, requiring considerable effort to open. I had to grasp it firmly and apply upward pressure with both thumbs to release it. Distinctive, but extremely inconvenient. I then checked the website, which indicates the bottle design is "honoring the original 1750s style…with an old-fashioned 'blob top.'" I appreciate old-school myself, but the supposed beauty of this 'blob top' is comparable to the knuckle-scraping appearance of a Ford Model A hand crank. 46% ABV. Barrel # 0143. Bottle # 746 of 846. It's unclear if coloring was added, but this one is the lightest of the three. YELLOW SPOT 12-YEAR SINGLE POT STILL IRISH WHISKEY The color is a deep burnt orange, the darkest of the three (Pantone 159). When tasted alongside the others, the aroma is comforting. It brings to mind orange oil, sandalwood, fruitcake, mulled cider, sandalwood again, some vanilla, and a strawberry note – think Strawberries Romanoff with Grand Marnier in the whipped cream. This whiskey is calming, like a deep-tissue massage for the senses. The palate is rich and coats the tongue; it has a slight woodiness, with vanilla, yellow raisins, and a return of the orange oil from the nose. The alcohol content is well-integrated, offering a gentle reminder of its presence at the end, concluding with a pleasant woody vanilla flavor. The moment the Yellow Spot touches your lips, it's clear you're drinking something exceptional. I've now sampled Green, Yellow, Blue, and Red Spot Irish whiskies. Yellow Spot is delightful, as it should be for its price (around $150 when available). It's costly. However, as good as it is, in my assessment, it ranks third in that series (Blue #1, Red #2, Yellow #3, Green #4), which speaks to the quality of the entire range. Would I buy it again? (This was a gift). Yes. I'd want to always have all the Spots (Green, Yellow, Blue, Red) on hand. Rated 4.5+. 46% ABV. Not chill filtered. Coloring was added. CONCLUSION This was an insightful comparison. Each whiskey presented unique characteristics that were highlighted when tasted together. The Clonakilty is the fruitiest and sweetest; the Limavady is somewhat more reserved and focused, akin to a young cabernet sauvignon (though whiskey, unlike cabernet, won't mellow with age). The Yellow Spot is in a different category: it is confident and commanding, capturing attention compared to the other two. All spirits were tasted neat in a Glencairn glass. Note: The entire review was composed while listening to Dave Brubeck's "Time Out." on Apple Music. I attended a Dave Brubeck concert approximately 35 years ago, either before or after their tour of the USSR, which (regrettably) indicates my age. But I do recall feeling the rhythm in 5/4 time to "Take Five."

Yellow Spot displays an unusual level of complexity for an Irish Whiskey, or even for a 12-year-old spirit. Every assessment, and even the bottle itself, offers differing expectations for this dram. It felt akin to dating an exceptionally bright and gifted woman, who continuously unveiled surprising and captivating new facets throughout the evening. I savored 2.5 generous glasses of Yellow Spot, attempting to process my reactions. Clearly, I was drawn to it. Nothing was off-putting, aside from a slight bewilderment as to why she’d choose to spend time with someone like me. Each tasting revealed distinct characteristics. Dominantly, I perceived sherry-infused chocolate cake on the nose, accompanied by cherries, apples, and a certain spicy warmth. The palate offers sweet summer fruits, with a subtle assertion of bitter spices. It shifts between being oily, spicy, and nutty, eventually merging all three. The finish is lengthy and intricate. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I suspect she might be open to further encounters, yet I wouldn’t be surprised if she declined. She’s not playing games, simply not fully disclosing her thoughts. And I respect that.

What I dig about Spot whiskeys is that even though they can be pricey, you can still find them without too much trouble. It's as if the trendy crowd hasn't discovered this gem yet. The aroma presents an intriguing blend of red fruits and dried grass with a slight bite, evolving into notes of baking spices, honey, hazelnut, and the subtlest trace of saltiness. It's just enough to intrigue your senses. The initial taste offers a delightful balance of salty and sweet. Hazelnut cream, roasted peanuts, and crème brûlée combine for a delicious flavor that makes you wish the whiskey would linger a bit longer before swallowing. As it goes down, tannic oak emerges with a touch of tart red apple and citrus peel. The finish becomes quite dry, bringing back the tannic oak from the end of the taste, accompanied by a slight tingle of peppercorn on the tongue. The finish is almost the opposite of the initial taste, short of being peated. Another amazing Irish whiskey from Mitchell and Son, and absolutely a bottle I'll always have stocked.

It presents as a deep golden brown in my glass, leaving medium-bodied streaks. I picked this up in July in Nevada for a bargain price of $80. Sampling it neat. The aroma offers sweet grains and notes of red grapes. The palate explodes with sweet red fruits and grains, complemented by nuts and raisins. Subsequently, peppery grass and culinary spices emerge in the conclusion. A sweet grain character persists, with a smooth and agreeable finish. Minimal alcohol burn. Adding ice diminishes the grain and raisin sweetness while muting the toasted grain and spice complexity. However, it produces a sophisticated Whiskey Highball when mixed with soda. Absolutely fantastic! This is quite unlike other Irish whiskeys. It has less of an iodine character and more fruit compared to Redbreast 12. It's a gentler, fruitier take on Green Spot, which I'm a big fan of. I'll be happily finishing this bottle.

Consumed this following fish and chips; my perceptions may be off. Nevertheless, the initial aroma was rubbing alcohol. Definitely not what I hoped for! A small taste brought things back around. Once my senses recalibrated, it possessed a pleasing richness. For those who remember the caramel Bullseye candies, that's the association that comes to mind. Alternatively, I'd call it a smooth caramel. It has slightly more intensity than the red spot, even though their alcohol content is identical. I'm satisfied with the green, yellow, and red spot selections. Each presents uniquely, yet they are all excellent for savoring and sharing with companions.

Smell: green apple, nectar, dried sultanas, pit fruit, caramel candy Taste: wood spice, pimento, caramel candy, bosc pear, sherry and fortified wine's dark fruits. Aftertaste: brief, sugary honeysuckle, wine/grape dryness Gentle warmth, slightly better than basic. Clearly got those sherry undertones. Reminds me of Redbreast 12 sherry cask. Not convinced it's worth the $80. The wine barrels really obscure the Irish character. Liked it, but not a repurchase.