‘Iconic’ Whiskey and Wine Families Unite as Irish Distillers Releases Oldest Gold Spot Whiskey Yet
Gold Spot unveiled a 13-year-old Irish whiskey matured for 16 months in Valpolicella Classico casks.
Irish Distillers announced on Monday the release of Gold Spot The Generations Edition, an Irish whiskey that features a 13-year age statement and was finished for 16 months in Valpolicella wine casks. The latest expression from Irish Distillers pays an interesting tribute to two families with lengthy histories in whiskey and wine.
The non-chill-filtered whiskey hosts an ABV of 46% and a suggested retail price of €150 ($163.89.)
Gold Spot The Generations Edition is available in limited quantities across the U.S., U.K., France, Island, Travel Retail Ireland and Brand Homes. Those interested in purchasing it can pick up a bottle at the Midleton Distillery website.
“This isn’t just a whiskey; it’s a celebration of our shared commitment to tradition and innovation,” Irish Distillers Distiller Katherine Condon said in a news release. “The incorporation of Italian wine casks, alongside our own pot still whiskey, produces a complex and vibrant character — a true tribute to generations of dedication.”
Gold Spot is a 13-year-old Irish whiskey that was aged in the traditional mixture of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks from the brand, coupled with a 16-month finishing period in Valpolicella casks. According to the brand, the Valpolicella finishing process enhances Gold Spot’s “subtle spice notes,” and fruity profile.
Valpolicella wines are typically made in the Amarone fashion, where red grapes known as Corvina are left to raisinate in the sun before being vinified. Wines are made from these dried grapes, and typically have a bold and fruity profile, according to Wine Folly.
The whiskey is a tribute to The Mitchells, the family that owns Mitchell & Son, which is behind the Spot whiskeys. The family began bonding whiskey in the 1800s, according to the brand, and would mark barrels of maturing whiskey with various brightly colored spots to signify the age of the spirits.
Gold Spot The Generations Edition was finished in Valpolicella Classico casks chosen from Secondo Marco winery, founded by the Speri family. Marco Speri currently helms the winery and seven generations of Speris have been working the vineyards within the area.
“The partnership unites generations of family tradition and is a statement of heritage,” Founder at Secondo Marco Marco Speri said in the news release. “We are thrilled with the opportunity to collaborate with the Middleton Distillery Team and the Mitchell family to add a Valpolicella Edition into the Spot whiskey collection.”
Gold Spot 9 Year 135th Anniversary Irish Whiskey was released in June 2022 and celebrated the Mitchell family’s 135 years in the whiskey bonding business. It was reviewed very favorably at Whiskey Raiders, receiving an 8/10.
As for the latest offering, Condon continued to express her enthusiasm for the whiskey particularly from a process standpoint.
“The unique aspect of this release lies not just in its thirteen-year age statement but in its maturation process,” Condon said. “The pot still whiskey already matured in bourbon and sherry casks undergoes a finishing period of sixteen months in Valpolicella Classico wine casks, contributing floral and quintessentially wine-driven notes to the flavor profile, creating a truly distinctive offering.”
Gold Spot The Generations Edition Tasting Notes, Via the Brand
Nose: Red apples, dark fruit, fragrant florals and dark wooded undertones. Clove spice, nutmeg and almond.
Taste: Luscious and sweet with red berries, toffee apples and raisin.
Finish: Lingering with sweet wine and pot still spices having the last word.
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