Blue Spot 7 Year
Whisky: Blue Spot 7 Year
Country/Region: Ireland (Midleton Distillery)
ABV: 58.7%
Cask: Bourbon, Sherry, Madeira Wine
Age: 7 Years
Nose: Dried fruit, caramel, nougat, cream, pastries, oak, vanilla, pepper.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dried fruit, oak, vanilla, salted caramel, pastries, spirited prickle.
Finish: Medium-length and drying with cinnamon, vanilla, caramel, pastries, spirited tickle, and oaky tannins.
Score: 4
Mental Image: Conference Danish Platter
Narrative & Notes: Pastries and pudding defined the aroma as dried fruits, orange zest, caramel, nougat, cream cheese frosting, flaky butter pastries, and pound cake developed. Oaky vanilla and pepper stood out with a touch of spirited prickle. Medium-bodied, the flavor profile began with dried fruits and tingling spice. A notable spirited pickle popped early on and lingered through till the end with oak, vanilla, salted caramel, and raisin Danishes covered in cream cheese frosting. The finish was medium-length and drying with cinnamon spice, vanilla, and oaky tannins. A few drops of water dulled the spirited prickle and brought out more caramel and maple candies.
I thought I would enjoy this more than I did, and if the score seems low, maybe this whisky suffered for my overblown expectations. Green Spot was one of my entry points to whisky, and I still have a fondness for that Irish pot still whisky. Otherwise, I think my taste has diverged quite a bit from the combination of malted and unmalted barley that forms the backbone of Irish whisky's single pot still style. The flavors were similar to a single-grain scotch and almost just as simple. The depth that did exist seemed almost entirely driven by heavy oak and wine casks.
Overall, a bit simple and cask-heavy for my taste, especially for the price. The whisky initially retailed for ~100 USD, which feels a tad high but not insane— however, it now sits at an astronomical 200-300 USD. For that money, I think there are much better options to be had.
