Indulgent, opulent, silky and rich, this is teenaged Irish whiskey nearing perfection. In direct comparison to its younger sibling (Green Spot), the twelve-year-old expression has more wood influence, more spices, more "dark" aromatics, and more depth and intensity. Conversely, it boasts less "bright", youthful fruitiness. The signature tropical fruit notes have become waxier, oilier, and gained surprising levels of mellow maturity. Actually, if I were to have this blind, I'd deem this way older than its stated twelve years of age - it noses more like an at least sixteen-year-old malt. Lots of umami and soft rancio notes, surely imparted by the fortified wine casks.
All in all, this is an obvious - and delightful - upgrade of Midleton's seven-to-eight-year-old modern classic, the Green Spot, and is well worth the premium it requires to purchase a bottle, IF (and that's a big "if") you cherish dark, woody, cask-heavy flavors over spirit-driven florals and fruitiness. I for one, definitely prefer this older version. The thick, lush fruitiness next to this waxy, oily, syrupy side makes for a winning combination. It may seem slightly expensive for twelve years, but given what it has to offer, it's a bargain at any price below 60 €.

Extremely fruity on the nose. With time, vanilla, coconut, whip cream, and toffee develops.

On the palate, loads of vanilla, milk chocolate, tiramisu, coffee beans. The palate does not match the nose.

The finish is medium with lingering butterscotch and espresso acidity.

Absolutely stunning single pot still whiskey. Very complex

fruity sweetness, greasy feeling of malt!
Reminds me some M Couvreur for the sweet side, sherry (bottle open half), I have better returns than a sample!
Grapes, vanilla, a little sweet candy, sugar, nutmeg and a little grassy back, almonds and chocolate in return!
it's simple, though, monolithic, but intense!

The nose is overall fruity but it is slow to reveal itself and is much less appetizing than the Green Spot. The palate is very fruity, especially yellow fruits (exotic fruits?). The bourbon barrels are revealed in the mouth late but with authority! But where are the sherry casks? Perhaps in this note woody but too green for a 12 years and that leaves a hint of aggressiveness with each sip and prevents the roundness expected (too much?) To settle. An exceptionally long final centered on a fruit in particular that I can not yet identify. I stay a little on my hunger. I stay on the Green Spot even though both whiskeys have little in common - surprisingly enough.

Enthusiasm 3/5