Red Spot 15 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey

Red Spot 15 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is a rare, heritage expression that beautifully showcases the complexity, depth, and spiced fruit character of long-aged Irish single pot still whiskey. It’s rich yet refined, with orchard fruit, dark chocolate, and gentle oak spice unfolding across the palate. Importantly, it comes from a lineage deeply rooted in Ireland’s classic pot still tradition, and its revival speaks to both history and modern whiskey craftsmanship.

Origins & Craftsmanship
Red Spot is part of a historic family of Spot whiskeys originally produced by Mitchell & Son, a celebrated Dublin wine and spirits merchant established in 1805. The “Spot” series—Green Spot, Yellow Spot, and Red Spot—was named after the house’s long-standing practice of marking casks with colored spots to indicate age and quality for bonded stock dating back over a century.

For much of the 19th and 20th centuries, Mitchell & Son’s Spot whiskeys were emblematic of the classic Irish single pot still style (a style made from a mash of both malted and unmalted barley in copper pot stills), revered for balance, spice, and orchard fruit richness. As Irish distilling declined during the mid-20th century, many traditional expressions disappeared, but the Mitchell family preserved the Spot names.

In the 21st century, amid a renewed global interest in premium Irish whiskey, the brand was revived through collaboration with Midleton Distillery in County Cork, Ireland—one of the country’s premier distilling sites, where many of Ireland’s best-known whiskies including Redbreast are also made. Today, Red Spot is produced with great care: the spirit is matured in a combination of ex-Bourbon, Sherry (often Oloroso), and Malaga casks, leveraging extended aging to develop depth while still preserving the characteristics that define single pot still whiskey—rich fruit, spicy undertones, and a smooth, layered texture.

The 15 Year Old is one of the longer-aged releases in the Spot line and sits between Yellow Spot (12 years) and Blue Spot (typically older), representing an emphasis on both fruit intensity and barrel influence. It is bottled at 46% ABV (92 proof), non-chill-filtered, offering a vibrant yet composed profile.

Critics Reviews
Red Spot 15 Year Old is widely regarded among connoisseurs and critics as an exemplar of aged Irish single pot still whiskey, frequently praised for its complexity, balance, and depth—though specific numeric scores vary by publication and vintage.

Tasting Profile
Nose: Deep orchard fruit—apricot, baked apple, and pear—lifted by floral spice, cedar, and sweet vanilla from extended barrel influence. A hint of dark chocolate and raisin adds depth.

Palate: Luxuriously textured, with ripe fruit and honeyed agave-like warmth evolving into orange zest, crème brûlée, and toasted oak spice. Sherry cask influence deepens the mid-palate with dried fruit and dark caramel notes, all supported by a classic pot still peppery lift.

Finish: Long, warming, and intricately layered—spice, oak, and fruit linger with a subtle cocoa touch and a refined, dry-spice trail.

Quick Overview

Historical Background
The Spot series has deep roots in Ireland’s whiskey heritage—Mitchell & Son marked casks with colored spots in the 19th century to signify age and quality, a practice that became a brand identifier. In the golden era of Irish whiskey, Spot whiskeys were household names in Dublin and beyond, embodying the richness and spice of single pot still style.

Though the broader Irish industry contracted in the 20th century, the Mitchell family kept the Spot names alive through blending and careful stock management. With the 21st-century revival of Irish whiskey and renewed interest in premium, age-statement expressions, the Spot series was re-introduced in collaboration with Midleton Distillery—ensuring the historic character of these whiskeys is carried forward with meticulous craftsmanship.

Red Spot 15 Year Old reflects this lineage: a bridge between the golden age of Dublin pot still whiskeys and contemporary excellence, offering a taste of century-old tradition with modern stylistic polish.

Cocktail Recipes 

Single Pot Still Old Fashioned

• 2 oz Red Spot 15 Year Old

• 0.2 oz demerara syrup

• 2 dashes aromatic bitters
  Garnish: Orange twist
  Method: Stir with ice until chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Express twist over the top.

Pot Still Manhattan

• 2 oz Red Spot 15 Year Old

• 1 oz sweet vermouth

• 2 dashes aromatic bitters
  Garnish: Brandied cherry
  Method: Stir with ice, strain into a chilled coupe.