Pernod Ricard subsidiary Irish Distillers has launched a limited-edition Green Spot Quails’ Gate Irish whiskey.
The third instalment in the Green Spot Wine Geese Series, the pot still whiskey is finished in Pinot Noir casks through a partnership with Quails’ Gate Winery. With a 46% ABV, Green Spot Quails’ Gate is available from this month in the USA, Canada, Ireland, France, UK, and in travel retail, with a recommended retail price of €72.
The Wine Geese Series includes Green Spot Château Leoville Barton and Green Spot Chateau Montelena. A celebration of Ireland’s historic contribution to the wine world, it offers a tribute to Irish families who left Ireland and set up wineries across the globe.
Green Spot Quails’ Gate takes inspiration from the stories of endeavour from two Irish families. Green Spot Single Pot Still was originally produced exclusively for the Mitchell family, who commenced trading in 1805 in the heart of Dublin.
This new limited-edition expression reflects the colourful history of the Mitchell’s whiskey bonding business which had empty wine, sherry and port casks sent to the local Jameson Distillery to be filled with new single pot still spirit for maturation in the Mitchell’s cellar warehouse.
The wine influence added a new dimension to the whiskey, with Mitchell & Son developing a reputation for creating fine single pot still Irish whiskey in the Irish capital.
Located on the shore of Okanagan Lake in British Columbia, Canada, Quails’ Gate Winery was founded by the Stewart family in 1908 after Richard Stewart Sr immigrated to Canada from Kildare, Ireland.  Today, their wines include the award-winning Family Reserve Pinot Noir. |
Green Spot Quail’s Gate Irish whiskey targets both whiskey and wine lovers. Initially matured in American Oak and ex-sherry casks, the liquid was finished for 16 months in Pinot Noir casks.
Irish Distillers Blender Deirdre O’Carroll said: “Green Spot, with its distinctive blend of green apple, vanilla and toffee flavours, has been a beloved Irish whiskey since the 19th century, thanks to the Mitchell family.
“Maturing Green Spot Irish whiskey in the Pinot Noir casks from Quails’ Gate adds a fascinating and delectable assortment of rich red berries from the red wine seasoning that perfectly balances Green Spot’s orchard fruits and toasted wood finish for a flavoursome, complex expression.
“Whether a whiskey enthusiast or a wine connoisseur – or both – we hope this addition to the Spot family will be cherished by those in Ireland, Canada and everywhere in between.”
Quails’ Gate Winery Winemaker Rowan Stewart added: “The partnership between Spot Whiskeys and Quails’ Gate celebrates the best of both worlds: the deep roots of the whiskey tradition and our family tradition of winegrowing.
“Together, we have created an exciting collaboration that is both complex and memorable, honouring the legacy of both traditions.” 
