Gold Spot Review
In-Depth Review
The Spot whiskies may not be the most well-known thing that Midleton distillery releases, but it may be some of the most sought after. After decades of only offering Green Spot, in 2012 Midleton launched a renewed lineup of Yellow Spot, later Red Spot and Blue Spot, and now this limited-edition Gold Spot expression in 2022 (also - if you would like a deeper dive into the history behind Spot whiskies, I would recommend the plethora of other articles that detail the interesting history of the Mitchell & Son whiskies). All of the Spot whiskies highlight the pot still style of Irish whiskey – with its heavy, flavorful character that provides an alternative to the smooth and easy drinking character of Irish blends like Jameson or Bushmills.
To celebrate 135 years of the Spot whiskies, Midleton announced the release of Gold Spot, a whiskey that represents the first all-new color in a very long time. This Gold Spot whiskey is aged at least 9 years and is a blend of bourbon barrels, sherry butts, Bordeaux wine casks, and port pipes. It is then non-chill filtered and bottled at 102.8 proof. And while that may not be the full cask strength of Blue Spot, it’s close (and two years older). So let’s dive in and see if this Gold Spot is worth seeking out!
Age: 9 Years
ABV: 51.4%
Cask: Mix of ex-bourbon, sherry butts, Bordeaux wine casks, and port pipes.
MSRP: $125
Distillery Name: Midleton Distillery
Review Date: 3/17/23
Color: Solid gold (go figure)
Nose: The nose starts with juicy fruits like apples and pears then moves to a fresh baked pie. It’s a classic pot still profile dripping with syrupy sweetness but still somehow remains light and zesty on the tongue. Freshly peeled apple mixed with lemon make this a refreshing and rewarding nose before it moves to notes of marzipan and light cocoa nibs. It’s almost reminiscent of a fruity old-fashioned cocktail. This is Green Spot elevated to another level.
Palate: Taking a sip, the front of the palate is soft and inviting, but as it rolls across the tongue the flavors slowly pick up steam. There is more stewed orchard fruit, mulled wine, and baking spices like clove and nutmeg lurking underneath the blanket of pot still sweetness. That fresh fruit marries itself to spun sugars and a light cream. This has a great mouthfeel, with a nice and viscous texture without feeling too thick. The heat is there but well restrained as well.
Finish: Medium to long finish with lovely, spiced pear and apple notes that linger between sips. The choice of proof here is excellent. More oak appears after the fruit has subsided, but it remains sweet throughout the entire experience.
Final Thoughts: Midleton keeps churning out winners. They seem to know exactly what people love about Irish whiskey, and they keep playing the hits. With this latest limited edition Gold Spot whiskey, it’s hard to argue that there is anyone out there doing Irish pot still better than them. This whiskey is packed full of flavor, with a long rewarding finish and a classic heavy, rich mouthfeel that makes you question the obsession people have with cask strength whiskies. Gold Spot is an easy drinker, delivering a heaping of robust and complex Irish pot still goodness. It’s heavy on flavor and nuance and begs for multiple pours. Gold Spot is a remarkable whiskey that takes the complexity of barrel finishing and the art of blending Irish whiskey to new heights.
