Jonathan Mitchell: A Spot of Irish Whiskey History

Today we are seeing a resurgence in demand for Ireland’s
quintessential style of Irish whiskey - pot still whiskey. New
distilleries all over the country are distilling and maturing
single pot still whiskey in the hopes that it once again becomes
the world’s most consumed and demanded Irish whiskey. In the late
1700s and throughout the 1800s and well into the 1900s single pot
still whiskey ruled the world. As domestic and global events
played out in the 1900s, from prohibition to trade wars to
Scottish and American competitors seizing upon opportunities,
that style of whiskey faded in popularity to the point where it
all but disappeared by the 1970s.


However, one brand never died out - never faded away and never
disappeared from shelves and that is Green Spot Irish whiskey.


Today, Green Spot is joined by many other siblings in the spot
range of whiskeys and every label bears a family a name - the
Mitchell family. The Mitchell & Son firm of wine, whiskey and
spirit merchants created this famous brand in the late 1800s and
to this day are still involved in its production and
distribution.


Legendary in the world of Irish whiskey, the Mitchell family
ensured that single pot still whiskey bearing the Spot name never
faded into obscurity.


This week I spent a wonderful afternoon chatting with Jonathan
Mitchell, sixth generation of the Mitchell family to lead the
company and oversee the wine and whiskey business. He has had a
front row seat to the remarkable changes that have occurred in
the world of Irish whiskey in the past 50 years and was
instrumental in ensuring the survival and promotion of single pot
still whiskey bearing the spot name. I could have chatted with
Jonathan all day, and hope to again in the future.


I hope you enjoy the remarkable stories he shared with me.