In 2002 Michell & Son relaunched their iconic Yellow Spot whiskey, previous available as part of a series of four pot still whiskeys with different ages marked with different coloured 'spots'. The bottling returned as a 12 year old, with an interesting marriage of casks: ex-bourbon, ex-sherry and ex-malaga wine cask. Malaga is a fortified Spanish wine made from Pedro Ximenze and Moscatel grapes - not commonly seen used in whiskey production. It was believed that the original Yellow Spot recipe also contained the use of these unusual Malaga wine casks, thus Michell & Son attempted to recreate, rather than reimagine the iconic Yellow Spot.
Nose: Stone fruits – particularly peaches. Toffee and cereals come through strongly. Light acetone, herbal notes and a touch of mint.
Taste: Good mouthfeel with sweet grains and more astringent malts having a bit of a party. Stewed tropical fruits, almost like wine gums, and some vegetal and mineral notes.
Finish: Gentle with the spicing favouring the sweeter grain elements.
A story of two halves: Pronounced sweet grains on the nose, well-balanced, deeper malts on the taste. Just as drinkable as its Green Spot cousin, but offering a very different Pot Still experience.