Yellow Spot Whiskey

[AaronWF]

I did a back to back last week of Yellow Spot and Powers Johns Lane. PJL killed it for me, not contest. YS had a nice mouth feel, a light palate and a sweet, uncomplicated finish. The PJL had more of an edge with a little more balance on the palate and a finish that was sweet and spicy. There was just more going on with the PJL, which was definitely more interesting to me than the pleasant one-note of the YS.

[kjbeggs]

According to Caskers, Green Spot is the Irish Pappy.

Yes! The actual Subject line of the Caskers email:

"Yellow Spot - Older Sibling of the Holy Grail/Irish Pappy - is Finally Available!"

:slappin:

Didn't realize those bottles of Green Spot I see just about everywhere were actually worthy of being searched for by the Monty Python troupe...

[tanstaafl2]

Yes! The actual Subject line of the Caskers email:

"Yellow Spot - Older Sibling of the Holy Grail/Irish Pappy - is Finally Available!"

:slappin:

Didn't realize those bottles of Green Spot I see just about everywhere were actually worthy of being searched for by the Monty Python troupe...

Before Midleton started making pot still whiskey on a regular basis again the Green Spot bottles had developed something of a cult following. They were made at the original Jameson distillery in Dublin (now long gone) for Mitchell & Sons, a local wine merchant, and then aged in sheery barrels and sold by Mitchell & Sons almost exclusively. But once Jameson closed the distillery in Dublin and joined the Irish Distillers Group in the 60's in Midleton it apparently got pretty rare (500 cases a year. Not so much for a thirsty Irish population...). Finally IDG began making pot still whiskey more regularly (such as Redbreast) and it became more available again. It is no longer all that rare and is younger than it once was. The Mitchell & Son name is still on it (probably some kind of licensing deal for the name?) but it is a Midleton product now as far as I know and much more readily available.

Another problem was Jim Murray at some point anointed it as "unquestionably one of the world's great whiskeys" according to Wiki. Not sure if he was talking about the older 10yo bottling or the current younger 7-8yo bottling (most likely this one but before it was quite so "mass" produced). But the hysteria associated with that and relative lack of availability apparently began to make it "Pappy Python" worthy...

[T Comp]

I did a back to back last week of Yellow Spot and Powers Johns Lane. PJL killed it for me, not contest. YS had a nice mouth feel, a light palate and a sweet, uncomplicated finish. The PJL had more of an edge with a little more balance on the palate and a finish that was sweet and spicy. There was just more going on with the PJL, which was definitely more interesting to me than the pleasant one-note of the YS.

Yeah it really did! Picked up another PJL and passed on the YS thanks to that.

[The Black Tot]

I did a back to back last week of Yellow Spot and Powers Johns Lane. PJL killed it for me, not contest. YS had a nice mouth feel, a light palate and a sweet, uncomplicated finish. The PJL had more of an edge with a little more balance on the palate and a finish that was sweet and spicy. There was just more going on with the PJL, which was definitely more interesting to me than the pleasant one-note of the YS.

[kjbeggs]

Been planning to pick up a PJL, but haven't pulled the trigger yet. (Heard nothing but great things though).

Tonight I'm putting Green and Yellow Spots up against each other.

Started with the Green Spot, just as soft and easy-drinking as I remembered. A hint of spice, but mostly green apple, and tonight I'm getting a Cognac-like grapiness.

Moving on to the Yellow Spot, definitely a more whiskey-like profile. Still some apple, but no grape detected. More pepper, and the extra time in the barrel(s) is evident (in a good way), as is the higher proof.

As I'm writing this, I've got a small Pour of Redbreast12. Having a hard time deciding which I prefer, it or the YS. Think I'll need another pour.

[bearmark]

I did a back to back last week of Yellow Spot and Powers Johns Lane. PJL killed it for me, not contest. YS had a nice mouth feel, a light palate and a sweet, uncomplicated finish. The PJL had more of an edge with a little more balance on the palate and a finish that was sweet and spicy. There was just more going on with the PJL, which was definitely more interesting to me than the pleasant one-note of the YS.

I just picked up a bottle of PJL this week in anticipation of St. Paddy's day (my annual Irish whiskey purchase). It's the best Irish whiskey I've tasted yet under $200.

[Frodo]

Both Yellow and Green showed up at my local independent store this week on the S. side of Chicago. I haven't delved into Irish whiskey too much, but am debating making a purchase out of curiosity

I had the same view towards buying the Green Spot a few years ago. Regretted it. Was OK but not close to $100 good...

[El Vino]

I did a back to back last week of Yellow Spot and Powers Johns Lane. PJL killed it for me, not contest. YS had a nice mouth feel, a light palate and a sweet, uncomplicated finish. The PJL had more of an edge with a little more balance on the palate and a finish that was sweet and spicy. There was just more going on with the PJL, which was definitely more interesting to me than the pleasant one-note of the YS.

Was the Powers John Lane the 12 YO?

[amg]

Was the Powers John Lane the 12 YO?

AFAIK the only John's Lane is 12 YO.

[El Vino]

I was confusing the names of the different expressions. I mistakenly assumed that all the product of John Powers were John's Lane.. I just looked at a retailer website and saw my mistake. Thanks for pointing that out.

[unclebunk]

Still no Yellow Spot in my neck of the woods and looking forward to getting a replacement bottle. In the mean time I've been enjoying some Redbreast 12 and PJL.