Yellow Spot 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey

Yellow Spot 12 Year is a beautifully expressive Irish Single Pot Still whiskey — rich with orchard fruit, honeyed sweetness, and warm spice, yet balanced by a refined, silky texture. It occupies the perfect middle ground between elegance and indulgence, making it one of the most characterful whiskeys in the Spot range.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Yellow Spot is part of Ireland’s historic Spot Whiskey family, originally produced by Dublin’s famed wine-merchant lineage. Today, the whiskey continues that tradition with a mash bill of malted and unmalted barley, triple distilled in copper pot stills for purity and texture.

What sets Yellow Spot apart is its unique triple-cask maturation, all aged a full 12 years:

• American bourbon barrels for vanilla and sweet grain warmth

• Spanish sherry butts for richness, dried fruit, and spice

• Spanish Málaga wine casks for honeyed fruit depth and a touch of dessert-like sweetness

This unusual combination creates remarkable layers of fruitiness, spice, and silky complexity — a signature of Yellow Spot’s identity.

Critics Reviews

Professional critics frequently praise Yellow Spot for its luxurious fruit profile and round, creamy texture. Many describe it as the “sweet spot” of the Spot lineup — richer than Green Spot and more playful and fruit-driven than some of the older or higher-proof expressions.

Reviewers consistently highlight:

• Its vivid stone-fruit and orchard-fruit aromatics

• The silky, honeyed palate characteristic of true pot still whiskey

• The unique influence of Málaga wine casks, adding depth and gentle sweetness

• Its impressive balance between fruit, spice, and oak

The 12-year age statement and triple-cask approach earn repeated recognition for delivering exceptional complexity without heaviness.

Tasting Profile

Nose:
A burst of ripe peach, apricot, and golden apple layered with honey, vanilla, warm cereal grain, and subtle baking spice. Soft sherry richness and hints of toasted oak round out the bouquet.

Palate:
Smooth, fruit-forward, and elegantly sweet. Flavors of peach compote, honeycomb, marmalade, vanilla cream, and toffee glide across the palate. Gentle pot-still spice — white pepper, clove, nutmeg — adds structure, while the Málaga cask influence brings dried fruit, citrus peel, and a touch of caramelized sweetness.

Finish:
Long, warm, and polished. Lingering honey, soft oak, dried fruit, and delicate spice taper into a balanced, comforting fade with just enough dryness to invite another sip.

Quick Overview

"This is a beautifully decadent take on Irish whiskey with beguiling aromas of nougat candy, baked honey pastry, and roasted oats. The indulgence continues on the palate where the whiskey’s robust body carries succulent oak and caramel tones and finishes as softly as a perfectly matured dessert wine." 

99 Points, Extraordinary, Ultimate Recommendation, 2017 Ultimate Spirits Challenge