As we approach the chilly season in Southern California, nothing helps beat the cold better than whiskey. Male Standard had the pleasure of attending a tasting of Single Pot Still Irish Whiskeys at the Redbird in Los Angeles with Chef Neal Fraser. With a great view of the city and Saint Vibianas Cathedral, we sat down and enjoyed holiday style meals paired with great Irish whiskey.
Single pot still whiskey refers to a style of whiskey made at a single distillery from a mixed mash of malted barley and un-malted green barley in a pot still. In our tasting we had anything from the sweet taste of Yellow Spot, to the deeper flavor of Powers John’s Lane.
Green Spot
We kicked off the night with Green Spot paired with a warm, delicious Kabocha Soup. We recommend you try the whiskey with less of a teaspoon of water to bring out the flavors. The Green Spot, like some of the others in the lineup, was matured in bourbon and sherry casks to give it a fruity tang. The Green Spot’s full spicy body had floral scents, and a palate of herbs and fruits.
Green Spot / 40% ABV / $65
Redbreast 12 Year
Our second pairing was a Redbreast 12 Year with seared beef and delicata squash. The Redbreast was matured in Oloroso sherry casks and is one of the heartier whiskeys in the lineup. The Redbreast has a wintergreen and oaky taste to it that is best served neat or on the rocks.
Redbreast 12 year / 40% ABV / $60
Yellow Spot 12 Year
The third course was a Yellow Spot 12 year paired with grilled quail and huckleberry gastric. This whiskey was perhaps our favorite of the night. The Yellow Spot was the sweeter of the bunch with long and sweet notes. It creamy taste is due to its being matured in Spanish Malaga wine casks, bourbon barrels and Sherry butts. For those looking for a whiskey with honey sweetness and pot still spices taste, this is your best bet.
Yellow Spot 12 Years / 46% ABV / $109.99
Powers John’s Lane
The main course of the night was the grilled wild boar tenderloin paired with the Powers John’s Lane. If you were looking for a whiskey with a bite to it, Powers John’s Lane will do the trick. Powers is perhaps the most enjoyed whiskey in Ireland, with good reason. The Powers had earthy aromas with a full-bodied spice front. This was perhaps the whiskey with the strongest kick.
Powers John’s Lane Release 12 Years / 46% ABV / $70
Midleton Barry Crockett
To conclude the night, we enjoyed spiced milk chocolate cremeaus and chocolate cake paired with Midleton Barry Crockett. The Midleton is aged in both bourbon and new American oak barrels, which give it the deeper charred oak notes. The Midleton’s sweetness of vanilla and a touch of citrusy limes and mandarin orange sweetness paired great with our dessert.
Midleton Barry Crocket Legacy / 46% ABV / $270
Our Favorites
Single Pot Still Irish whiskeys just made it on our wish list. Our top favorites, respectively, include the Yellow Spot, Green Spot and Midleton whiskeys. Any of these fine whiskeys would make a great gift for the upcoming holidays.
For more information on these whiskeys and how to get your hands on them, visit: http://www.singlepotstill.com/