Green Spot Single Pot Still

Green Spot is a single pot still Irish whiskey from County Cork, bottled at 40% ABV. Single pot still is a distinctly Irish style. The mash combines malted and unmalted barley, and the whiskey is distilled in copper pot stills. Using raw barley alongside malt is what sets this style apart from a single malt. It tends to produce a creamier, oilier texture and a peppery, grain-forward character that single malts don't usually have. Expect the profile typical of the style. Look for fresh orchard fruit such as green apple and pear, then a note of barley, a little vanilla and soft baking spice. Pot still whiskeys often add a gentle green, herbal edge and a spicy lift on the finish. The 40% strength keeps it approachable and rounded. Oak influence in this style is usually restrained, so the grain and fruit stay in front instead of heavy char or caramel. Neat is the best way to learn this bottle. A Glencairn glass concentrates the fruit and cereal aromas, and the oily mouthfeel shows up best at room temperature. A few drops of water can open up the spice if it feels tight. Ice is better used sparingly: one large cube in a rocks glass slows dilution, though a very cold serve will mute the subtle fruit. This is a whiskey for slow sipping more than for mixing in bulk. If you do mix with it, choose drinks that leave its character audible. An Old Fashioned made with a small measure of demerara syrup and orange bitters suits the soft sweetness, and a Whiskey Sour with fresh lemon works well because the fruit and cereal notes hold up against the acidity. A Highball with chilled soda and a lemon peel is a clean, long serve that keeps the barley and apple notes in play. A Manhattan is possible, but the lighter body will be easier to overpower with sweet vermouth, so use a restrained one. At the table, it pairs naturally with aged cheddar, smoked salmon, or a plain oat biscuit.