The second in the ‘Wine Geese’ series of wine matured whiskies from Irish brand Green Spot. Wine Geese takes its name from the ‘Wild Geese’: Irish soldiers who popped up in unusual places around Europe during the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.

This whiskey celebrates a shared Irish heritage. In 1972, Jim Barrett (whose father had emigrated to America from Ireland) purchased struggling vineyard Chateau Montelena in Napa Valley (then a normal rural area of California).

He ripped out the established vines, and planted Cabernet Sauvignon. During the time it took for these vines to mature, the vineyard produced some Chardonnays made with grapes from another grower. A bottle of 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay was victorious in the famous 1976 ‘Judgment of Paris’ wine competition that established the quality of American wines.

As with all Green Spot whiskies, this bottling was initially matured in sherry and Bourbon casks, before being finished in French oak Zinfandel casks from Chateau Montelena. The dram is triple distilled, and Single Pot Still.

The result is a fragrant and fruity whiskey, with heavy notes of honeyed oak, banana and pineapple, alongside some spicy berry flavours, red grapes, dried fruit, grassy Pot-Still character, and touches of biscuity malt, vanilla and sherry.

A whiskey that honours the considerable impact that the Irish Diaspora have had over drinking across the world. Bottled at 46% ABV and without chill filtration, this is a succulent, delightful drop.

• Product type
  Single Malt
• Distillery / brand
  Green Spot
• Country
  Ireland
• Bottler
  Distillery Bottling
• Cask type
  Wine Finish
• Bottling date
  2017
• Non-chillfiltered
  Yes
• Natural colour
  Yes
• SKU
  034878