Green Spot Leoville Barton Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey (700ml)

A limited edition Green Spot initially matured in a mixture of ex-Oloroso Sherry, American oak and ex-bourbon barrels, before 12 to 24 months finishing in the barrels that once held red wine from Château Léoville Barton. It's an appropriate homage given the long association of the Bordeaux Wine Trade with Ireland. Many Catholics fled after the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 and settled in Bordeaux. They became known as "Wild Geese" (and in wine country, "Wine Geese"). The wine trade proper started in the 18th century when several Bordeaux negociants (or wine merchants) made the move from Ireland to Bordeaux. Tom Barton was one, emigrating from Ireland in 1772. His family acquired several properties and eventually made Leoville Barton and Langoa Barton famous. The Irish influence also explains the very 'un-French' titles of several other Chateaux, like Lynch, Boyd and Kirwan!

Other reviews... Mitchell & Son’s classic whiskey finished for 1 to 2 years in wine casks formerly used by the Barton family in the St-Julien appellation. Spiced apple, redcurrant, blushing pink young raspberries, with a deeper earthiness, like a hedgerow run wild. An autumnal character: apple, rhubarb, ginger, piquant fruits, more vanilla, then a finish of sweetened apple and peppercorns. A definite imprint from the higher-strength pot still. It feels like the wine has shaped, sculpted, and finessed the whisky beautifully. À votre santé! 46% Alc./Vol. 89 points- www.maltadvocate.com (Winter 2015) Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick

...the delivery does reach out for complexity and there are some excellent light cocoa moments. But the sulphur wins.
83.5 points - Jim Murrays Whisky Bible 2016