Best Spot Whiskey

Last Updated on: 22nd April 2024, 04:49 pm

With the assistance of Irish Whiskey expert Neil Coleman and customer feedback, I have reviewed and ranked every Spot Whiskey and determined which is best.

Written by: J Highland

Choosing the Best Spot Whiskey

• Easy-Sipping & Beginner-Friendly: Green Spot: Smooth and light with notes of apple, vanilla, caramel, and a touch of spice. A great introduction to Irish whiskey.
• Fruity & Sweet: Yellow Spot: 12 years of aging deliver a rich and fruity profile with notes of peach, banana, apricot, and baking spice. Exceptionally smooth and ideal for those who enjoy sweeter whiskeys.
• Wine Influence & Unique: Green Spot Chateau Montelena: This expression offers a twist on the classic Green Spot with berry and vanilla notes thanks to the ex-Zinfandel cask finishing. A good option for those who enjoy a touch of wine influence in their whiskey.
• Rich & Balanced, Similar to High-End Bourbons: Red Spot: Aged for 15 years, this Spot offers a complex profile with notes of oak, dried fruit, vanilla, caramel, and hazelnut. Perfect for those who enjoy bolder flavors.
• Strong & Flavorful, for the Experienced Palate: Blue Spot: Bottled at cask strength, Blue Spot packs a punch with notes of pear, peach, almond, vanilla, spice, and oak. A good choice for whiskey enthusiasts who enjoy a powerful dram.

Remember, these are just suggestions. The best way to find your favorite Spot whiskey is to try a few and see what you like best!

Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.

Green Spot: Easy-Sipping Irish Whiskey

• Nose: Apple, vanilla, caramel, oak
• Palate: Toasted cereal, pear, oak
• Finish: Cherry, citrus
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Neat

Green Spot is a friendly introduction to Irish whiskey, aged up to 8 years. Made with a mix of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, it offers a sweet and spicy aroma of apple, vanilla, and caramel. The taste is creamy with toasted cereal, pear, and a hint of sherry, balanced by subtle oak and a touch of spice. The finish is short but pleasant with cherry and citrus notes.

Green Spot is smooth and easy to sip, making it a great choice for beginners or those who prefer a lighter dram while serving as the introductory bottle to the Spot range of whiskeys, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

Green Spot Chateau Montelena: Wine-Influenced Irish Delight

• Nose: Berries, vanilla, baking spice
• Palate: Apple, pear, vanilla, malt
• Finish: Almond, vanilla, oak spice
• Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Chateau Montelena takes the classic Green Spot a step further, maturing it in ex-Zinfandel casks.

This unique aging adds fruity and berry notes to the aroma, with vanilla and spice. The taste is even smoother and creamier, revealing apple, pear, and hints of red wine grape. The finish is long and warming with almond, vanilla, and a touch of oak spice.

Yellow Spot: Fruity & Buttery Irish Delight

• Nose: Ripe fruit, caramel, barley
• Palate: Fruity notes, toasted barley, baking spice
• Finish: Baking spice, ripe fruit, oak
• Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
• How to drink: Neat, add water

Yellow Spot steps up the Green Spot with 12 years of aging. Aged in ex-bourbon, sherry, and Malaga casks, it offers a rich nose of ripe fruit, caramel, and barley. The taste is full-bodied and buttery with peach, banana, apricot, and spice. The medium-long finish features cinnamon, nutmeg, fruit, and a touch of oak.

This exceptionally smooth and drinkable whiskey is best enjoyed neat, allowing its delightful fruity flavors to shine.

Red Spot: Rich & Balanced Irish Whiskey

• Nose: Oak, almonds, dried fruit, vanilla, leather
• Palate: Caramel, vanilla, ripe fruit, hazelnut
• Finish: Cinnamon, oak
• Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
• How to drink: Neat

Red Spot takes Irish whiskey to another level with 15 years of aging. Aged in ex-bourbon, sherry, and Marsala casks, it offers a complex nose of oak, almonds, dried fruit, and even a hint of leather. The taste is creamy and smooth with caramel, vanilla, ripe fruit, hazelnut, and a touch of tobacco. The finish is satisfying with oak and cinnamon.

This well-balanced and exceptionally drinkable whiskey is reminiscent of high-end bourbons, making it a great choice for those who enjoy richer flavors.

Blue Spot: Strong & Flavorful Irish Whiskey

• Nose: Pear, peach, almond, vanilla
• Palate: Caramel, vanilla, baking spice, oak
• Finish: Ripe fruit, baking spice, oak
• Alcohol content: 117.4 proof (58.7% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Blue Spot is a unique Irish whiskey bottled at cask strength, unfiltered, and bursting with flavor.

Aged for 7 years in ex-bourbon, sherry, and Madeira casks, it offers a warm nose of pear, peach, almond, and vanilla. The full-bodied taste showcases caramel, vanilla, spice, oak, and a hint of sherry. The long finish is warming with fruit, spice, and oak.

Despite its high proof, this whiskey is surprisingly smooth and enjoyable. A drop of water can further enhance its sweetness for those who prefer a tamer dram.

Buying Guide

Prices are approximate and stated in USD:

Whiskey	Price	ABV	Rating
Green Spot	$67	40%	83
Chateau Montelena	$105	46%	84
Yellow Spot	$115	46%	86
Red Spot	$169	46%	87
Blue Spot	$165	59%	85

Frequently Asked Questions

What Makes Spot Whiskeys Stand Out in the Irish Whiskey Category?

• Spot whiskeys are renowned for their smoothness, distinct flavor, and high satisfaction level, setting them apart from typical Irish whiskies.

How Do Spot Whiskeys Compare to Speyside Whiskies?

• Spot whiskeys can hold their ground against well-known Speyside whiskies like Glenlivet or Glenfiddich, though they may not reach the prestige levels of Macallan.

How Were the Best Spot Whiskeys Selected?

• Expert Reviews: Analysis of opinions from whiskey critics.
• Taste Testing: Personal experiences with each Spot whiskey expression.
• Consumer Feedback: Insights from whiskey enthusiasts and aficionados.

What is the Production Style?

• Spot whiskeys are crafted using a pot still method, involving a mash of malted and unmalted barley, sometimes with small amounts of raw oats or wheat.

What is the Difference Between Pot Still and Single Malt Whiskey?

• Pot still whiskey includes both malted and unmalted barley in the mash, while single malt whiskey uses only malted barley. The unmalted barley in pot still whiskey imparts a spicier and creamier texture.

What Flavor Profile Can You Expect from Spot Whiskeys?

• Spot whiskeys are known for their spicier bristle and creamier texture compared to similar malt whiskies, thanks to the inclusion of unmalted barley in the mash.

Are they Suitable for Whiskey Enthusiasts and Beginners?

• Yes, Spot whiskeys cater to a wide range of tastes, making them suitable for both seasoned whiskey enthusiasts and beginners looking to explore Irish whiskey.

What is the Significance of this Brand in the Irish Whiskey Scene?

• Spot whiskeys hold a special place in the Irish whiskey landscape, offering a unique and high-quality drinking experience that reflects the traditional Irish pot still whiskey style.