Last Updated on: 29th April 2024, 04:06 pm
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.
Uncover a comprehensive review that addresses all your questions and provides everything you need to know about the Yellow Spot 12-Year Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey.
Written by: J Highland
Yellow Spot: A Fruity and Luxurious Irish Whiskey
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Yellow Spot stands out as a truly delicious and unique Irish whiskey experience.
Smooth and Fruity Delight
This expression offers an incredibly smooth and enjoyable sip, free from harshness or overwhelming warmth. The flavor profile bursts with delightful fruit and baking spice notes that linger pleasantly on the palate.
Surprisingly Complex for Irish Whiskey
Yellow Spot’s complexity rivals many well-regarded 12-year single malts from Scotland. It offers a richer and more distinctive experience compared to traditional Irish whiskeys.
A Price Worth Paying?
While Yellow Spot might be on the pricier side, the luxurious taste and unique profile justify the cost for many whiskey enthusiasts. It’s a valuable addition to any whiskey collection.
Highly Recommended
If you’re looking for a smooth, fruity, and exceptionally flavorful Irish whiskey, Yellow Spot is highly recommended. It offers a truly special sipping experience, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
- Related: Top Irish Whiskeys under $100
- Learn more: Yellow Spot Whiskey Website
What’s unique about this Whiskey?
- 100% pot still whiskey.
- Made from malted and unmalted barley.
- Triple-distilled in copper pot stills.
- Doesn’t provide an age statement but is matured for around 8 years.
- Aged for 12 years in a combination of ex-bourbon casks, Spanish sherry butts, and Spanish Malaga casks.
- Malaga is a sweet wine that is made with Pedro Ximenez and Moscatel grape varietals.
How does it taste?
- Nose: Ripe fruit, caramel, barley
- Palate: Fruity notes, toasted barley, baking spice
- Finish: Baking spice, ripe fruit, oak
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
- Similar to: Redbreast 12
The nose is exquisitely aromatic, boasting abundant ripe fruit and caramel notes, complemented by a subtle touch of toasted barley.
Once tasted, the Yellow Spot impresses with its full and velvety texture, providing a thoroughly satisfying mouth-coating experience.
The flavor profile unfolds with delightful fruity nuances, featuring upfront hints of peach, banana, and apricot, followed by toasted barley and a gentle touch of baking spice.
The finish, of medium to long length, leaves a lasting impression with its rich cinnamon and nutmeg notes, alongside more of those sweet fruity hints and just a touch of oak.
The Yellow Spot conveniently possesses a drying effect, enticing you to indulge in more of its delightful character.
How does it rank?
These are my rankings:
| Whiskey | Rank |
| Yellow Spot | 86 |
| Redbreast 12 | 82 |
| Green Spot | 82 |
| Connemara Peated Single Malt | 77 |
| Slane Triple Cask | 76 |
| Writers’ Tear Copper Pot | 76 |
| Bushmills Peaky Blinders | 72 |
| Tyrconnell Single Malt | 70 |
FAQ: Yellow Spot Irish Whiskey
A quick FAQ to address your doubts:
How to drink it?
- Neat: Enjoy it neat and savor its flavors without any additional mixers.
- Adding water: Adding water does very little for it, so it’s best to appreciate its natural taste.
- Cocktails: While it can be used in cocktails, it’s recommended to reserve it for sipping due to its premium quality.
Awards & Accolades
- 2022: Gold at the Irish Whiskey Masters.
- 2021: Gold at the Irish Whiskey Masters.
- 2018: Gold Medal at the Irish Whiskey Awards.
Alternatives
- Consider the Redbreast 12 as an alternative, as both are 12-year, 100% pot still whiskeys crafted at the same distillery.
- The Yellow Spot has a richer and more complex flavor due to its aging in ex-bourbon casks, Spanish sherry butts, and Spanish Malaga casks.
- However, the Redbreast 12 offers a more affordable option.
Pricing Guide
- United States: $120
- Canada: $126
- Britain: £79
- Australia: $150
- Ireland: €86
Alcohol content
- It has an alcohol content of 92 proof (46% ABV), which is fitting for a whiskey of this caliber.
Aging
- It is aged for 12 years in a combination of ex-bourbon casks, Spanish sherry butts, and Spanish Malaga casks.
Where is Yellow Spot made?
- It is sourced at the Jameson Distillery in Midleton.
Who owns Yellow Spot?
- The Spot Whiskey brand is owned by Mitchell & Son, headquartered in Dublin.
Does it expire?
- No, alcohol doesn’t expire. If stored properly in a cool place and away from sunlight, it will last for years.
- It’s recommended to consume it once it reaches 25% content, as liquors may develop awkward notes beyond this level.
Storage
- Store it in a cool place away from sunlight and keep the bottle upright without coming into contact with the stopper.
How is it made?
- Yellow Spot is crafted from a blend of malted and unmalted barley.
- It undergoes milling and mashing before being triple-distilled through traditional copper-pot stills.
- The whiskey is matured for 12 years in a combination of casks, including ex-bourbon casks, Spanish sherry butts, and Spanish Malaga casks.
- After aging, the casks are blended and brought to proof before bottling.
How did I review Yellow Spot?
I run a pub and a liquor store, granting me extensive access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller.
My evaluations include my insights and feedback from customers and patrons and whiskey expert opinions from Neil Coleman who has been for decades in the liquor business.
I also corroborate my views with online research to ensure accuracy.
Our ratings are determined primarily by four key factors: aroma, taste, finish, and value for money. While we do consider packaging, it is of lesser importance to us, as we prioritize the quality of the liquid inside over the aesthetics of the bottle.
⭐ – Poor, ⭐⭐ – Average, ⭐⭐⭐ – Good, ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Very Good, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Excellent.
Yellow Spot: Specs
| Type of Whisky | Pot Still |
| Age statement | 12 |
| Proof | 92 |
| ABV | 46% |
| Is it good? | Yes |
| Is it top-shelf? | No |
| Does it expire? | No |
| Sweet? | Yes |
| Warm? | No |
| Peaty? | No |
| Good for beginners? | Yes |
| Good for cocktails? | No |
| Good with Coke? | No |
| Calories per shot | 108 |
| Gluten-free | Yes |
| Keto-friendly | Yes |