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THE MESSAGE 20 / the tasting panel / march 2014 Distiller Talk PHOTO: RACHEL BURKONS PHOTO: RACHEL BURKONS Brian Nation is the Master Distiller behind Jameson, Redbreast, Powers, Midleton and Green Spot. MIDLETON DISTILLERY'S BRIAN NATION BRINGS IRELAND'S BEST TO L.A. M aster Distillers of Irish whiskey are an elusive breed in the U.S., so when THE TASTING PANEL was invited to meet and taste with one of the biggest names in the category, we were thrilled to finally be on the right (left?) side of the Atlantic. In late January, Master Distiller Brian Nation, who oversees produc- tion of Irish whiskey megastars Jameson, Redbreast, Powers and Midleton, was on hand to discuss the heritage behind the storied distillery, as well as introduce two products new to the U.S. market this year: Redbreast 21 and the much- awaited Green Spot Whiskey. As he led us through a tasting of some of the pot still whiskeys produced at the Midleton Distillery, (which has recently undergone a massive expansion project to keep up with the demand), Nation explained that increasing offerings of craft whiskies in the U.S. market was a natural development for the explosive category. With the demand ever-growing, the addition of Redbreast 21 and Green Spot will continue to propel the Midleton Distillery's share of the Irish whiskey that we'll see on- and off-premise in 2014 and beyond. A longtime member of the Midleton family that had not yet been imported to the United States, Green Spot is a unique foray into the field. Matured for six to ten years in American oak bourbon barrels (and a bit of sherry), this whiskey breaks the mold. "Green Spot is completely different to Powers and Middleton, and I find it an exciting whiskey because it is so different," explains Nation. Bursting with bold fruit flavors on the nose and a strong fresh green apple flavor on the palate, Green Spot is bright and fresh, with characteristic caramelized Irish whiskey notes and spice. Green Spot will roll out March 1 with an SRP of $50. With the term "green spot" referring to the whiskey's time spent in barrel, the distillery also produces a Yellow Spot and a Blue Spot, which may also eventually find their way onto U.S. backbars. Joining Green Spot in the new lineup is Redbreast 21 (SRP $250), which is aged for 21 to 28 years in used barrels to result in a creamy, dreamy full-bodied sipper. With pronounced spice and sweetness and a kiss of oak, it might be easy to assume that this is Nation's pièce de résistance—but, really, there's something for everyone in this diverse portfolio. "There's a huge space for all of these whiskies to fit in," says Nation. "It's a showcase of craft that we can produce this array of whiskeys. These are products that can range in taste and profiles and sit alongside each other." —Rachel Burkons See our cover story on p. 50 for a look at the Pernod Ricard Irish whiskey portfolio t Green Spot and Redbreast 21 will both be available March 1.