Gold Spot 9-Year Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
ALC 51.4%
Mash Bill Percentages: 100% Malted and Unmalted Barley (being a single pot still Irish whiskey) Proof: 102.8° Age: 9 years
Further identification: This 2022 limited edition release is in commemoration of the 135th anniversary of the family bond of the Mitchell family bonders (1887-2022); it is finished in a unique combination of bourbon barrels, sherry butts, Bordeaux wine casks, and port pipes; it is non-chill filter stated
Nose: Soft leather, baking spice, and toffee greet me upon raising the glass. Bright white oak tingles in the nostrils. Light clove, allspice, black pepper, and soft linen all culminate delicately. The nose feels comfortable and inviting. It reminds me of arriving at a good company in the woods of Carver. Soft apple notes waft off the glass at times. Butterscotch and freshly baked bread aromas undulate in intensity. The smell of a copper mug sneaks into my Glencairn. Time for a sip! Coming back I find a sip to have unlocked a bright, bakery sweetness touched with vanilla, dry angel food cake, and a sprinkle of sugar. Overall the nose is quite light out of doors and may be best enjoyed inside a warm home with good company. True moss and dirt manage to overshadow the wonderfully fresh and vibrant earthiness this glass shows off. Enjoying the whiskey in a warmer, closed space produces notes of toffee, paper, and linen which equates well to the outside nose with just more volume. It reminds me a bit of those sugar dot sheets of candy that come on wax paper. Pear liqueur can be found on deep inhales. The empty glass smells of clove, copper, and soft molasses.
Palate: Caramel blasts forward immediately on the tongue. Sugar cookies, maple syrup, and gingerbread immediately coat the mouth. Brown sugar, nutmeg, and a dark pie crust build well with time as a decent heft permeates the mouth and chest. Another sip increases the heft of cherry hots, raisins, and mulled wine. Overall this feels very much like a traditional Irish with layered nuances of bready tones. As the glass gets lower the creamy characteristics really begin to shine and I find the unique pot-still coffee bean flavor has built a fortress around the fruit flavors from earlier. The linger is a touch moody with a smoldering, sweet spice. My last sip is Irish whiskey canonized. Crème brûlée, vanilla bean, and creamy caramel tingle on the tongue. The finish is medium in length with a simple kiss of spice cake and creamy brown sugar frosting.