An insight into Gold Spot Irish whiskey
A few weeks ago we had the pleasure of attending the unveiling of the latest release from Mitchell and Sons – Gold Spot. This release marks one hundred and thirty five years of whiskey bonding from one of Dublin’s most famous whiskey bonders.
The night started in Dublin’s Shelbourne Hotel, which is around the corner from the original Mitchel & Son wine shop on Kildare Street. We were then led into the subterranean chambers of the old bonding cellars of Mitchell & Sons on Fitzwilliam Lane.
We heard the multi layered history of the Mitchel families bonding adventures from the present day and we also heard from Ger Garland of Midleton Distillery, who distill the Spot range of whiskeys.
Historical Insight
Mitchell & Sons have been bonding whiskey since 1887. Originally sending port, sherry and wine casks to the Jameson Distillery where they were filled with aged Pot Still Whiskey. Mitchell & Sons have bottled vintage port right up until the 1970’s, giving them an intimate knowledge of fortified wine casks.
When the casks returned to Mitchell & Sons they were daubed with paint, to signify there age, Blue for 7 years, Green for 10 years, Yellow for 12 years and Red for 15 years. This eventually led the Mitchell family to change the whiskeys name from the original Pat whiskey to the Spot whiskey we know and love today.
Over the next hundred years or so, the spot range mirrored the ups and downs of the Irish whiskey industry with Blue, Red and Yellow falling into whiskey obscurity during the middle of the 20th century with only Green Spot being available for sale in their shop on Kildare Street right up until its closure in 2008, before moving to their new premises in the CHQ building in Dublin’s financial district.
Gold Spot is matured for at least nine years in a combination of Bourbon Barrels, Sherry Butts, Bordeaux Wine Casks and for the first time for Mitchell & Sons: Port Pipes. The whiskey is non chill filtered and bottled at 51.4% ABV
Tasting Notes
Nose
Elements of Golden syrup, chocolate powder with notes of melted butter, lime, apples, gooseberry and toasted wood.
Palate
Hints of vanilla, spices like cinnamon with overtones of strawberry and brown sugar.
Finish
Medium finish.
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