Green Spot Chateau Montelena Irish Whiskey Review
By Emma Briones
Rating: B
(Credit: Irish Distillers)
In its Wine Geese series, Green Spot has been exploring the characteristics that using special wine casks can bring to its single pot still whiskey. The second expression in this range is Green Spot Chateau Montelena.
This whisky brings together the stories of two different Irish entrepreneurs. On one side are the Mitchel brothers, who bottled and sold the first Green Spot whiskey. On the other side, Jim Barret, one of the Irishmen belonging to the long list of Wine Geese (what Irish immigrants who settled down at wineries around the world are called).
Green Spot Chateau Montelena is the first Irish Single Pot Still finished for a year in French Oak, Zinfandel wine casks from Chateau Montelena, a winery from Napa Valley, after having been aged in both bourbon and sherry casks first. Green Spot Chateau Montelena is a limited edition that will be released yearly in small batches. It has been bottled at 46% abv (92º proof) without chill filtration.
The Whiskey
Green Spot Chateau Montelena is copper amber, with a pink touch. On the nose, it is sweet. There are some vanilla and honey notes, and a strong presence of oak that mixes with a white chocolate touch. There are Green Spot fruity notes (apples and pears), but also a touch of pomegranate, cranberry and cherries.
On the palate it is mellow and dry. Sweet vanilla and marzipan notes blend with the spicy notes of an Irish Single Pot Still. There are also some toasted oak notes that, with clove and nutmeg notes, strengthen its dry side. Some citrus notes are slowly followed by apple, pears and red fruit touches. The finish is long and dry, leaving the spicy notes on the palate.
Chateau Montelena highlights the fruitier side of Green Spot single pot still whiskey. It is a nicely balanced whiskey, interesting in its dry and winey notes. The whiskey has different layers, mostly on the nose, and the finish is the best part of the dram by far. It’s a must-have for Irish whiskey lovers.
The Price
Green Spot Chateau Montelena is officially available in the United States, Canada and Ireland. It is retailed at 70 euros.
