S4 E28 Green Spot Irish Whisky with Macanudo Inspirado Red Label - OneStream Live #onestreamlive

There are moments when a dram and a cigar don’t just complement each other—they tell a story. That’s the case with Green Spot Irish Whiskey, a vibrant, fruity single pot still expression from Midleton Distillery, and the Macanudo Inspirado Red Label Robusto, a bold Nicaraguan-forward smoke that punches a little above Macanudo’s typically mellow reputation. This is a pairing that works because of contrast—light meets dark, fruit meets spice, silk meets grit.

Green Spot Irish Whiskey: A Review

Origin: Midleton Distillery, County Cork, Ireland
ABV: 40%
Style: Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
Maturation: Ex-bourbon and sherry casks

Appearance

Pale gold with a soft, sunny hue. It looks clean, bright, and easygoing in the glass. No legs of note—this isn’t a syrupy dram—but it’s inviting.

Nose

Green Spot is known for its fresh, orchard-fruit profile. On first sniff: green apple, pear skin, and a soft vanilla cream note. There’s a faint nuttiness too—almond or maybe even macadamia. Dig a little deeper, and you get gentle honey, a touch of clove, and citrus zest. It’s vibrant and youthful.

Palate

Smooth entry with immediate notes of fresh green apple and barley sugar. The pot still spice is gentle—more pepper than fire. Mid-palate, there’s a lovely creaminess, with hints of vanilla custard and toasted oak. A slight grassy character adds depth, never veering into bitter. It’s well-balanced, lively, and unpretentious.

Finish

Moderate in length. You get that cereal grain, soft oak tannin, and a lingering kiss of honey and dried apricot. It fades with finesse, not flash.

Verdict: Green Spot is a fantastic representation of Irish whiskey’s elegance and complexity without being overbearing. It’s refined without being too delicate.

Macanudo Inspirado Red Robusto: A Review

Size: Robusto (5” x 50)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan, Honduran
Body: Medium-to-full

Appearance & Construction

This cigar wears a dark, reddish-brown wrapper with a smooth yet toothy feel. The triple cap is expertly applied, and the roll is firm with just the right give. Pre-light aroma is rich with earth, cedar, and a touch of cocoa.

Cold Draw

Notes of dry cherry, black pepper, and a hint of graham cracker. Draw resistance is perfect—just enough pull to let you know it’s well packed.

First Third

It opens with a punch of pepper and wood—clearly Nicaraguan in spirit. But it’s not brash. A cherry sweetness follows, backed by leather and roasted coffee. Retrohale delivers pepper spice and charred oak.

Second Third

The strength levels out slightly. Dark chocolate and cedar dominate now, with a lingering sweetness that hints at molasses. Burn line is steady, ash holds tight.

Final Third

It ramps up in body. Spice returns with intensity, but the balance remains. Earth, charred oak, black coffee, and a faint fruit note—dried fig, maybe. It finishes with complexity and depth.

Verdict: The Red Label is a bolder Macanudo, but it maintains the brand’s smooth character. It’s like a dark roast with a splash of cream—not too heavy, but undeniably rich.

The Pairing: Green Spot & Macanudo Red

This pairing works because it thrives on contrast. Green Spot’s orchard fruits and honeyed finesse play beautifully against the Macanudo’s deeper, earthier core. The whiskey cools the cigar’s spice, while the cigar brings out some of the whiskey’s latent richness.

Why It Works
• The fruitiness of Green Spot cuts through the earth and pepper of the cigar, preventing palate fatigue.
• The creamy mouthfeel of the whiskey plays well with the chocolate and cedar tones in the cigar’s midsection.
• As the cigar builds in strength, the light-bodied nature of the whiskey offers a refreshing counterpoint.
• The sherry cask influence in the whiskey echoes the dried fruit notes of the cigar’s retrohale.

This isn’t a pairing of equals—it’s a balance of opposites. The whiskey offers light, the cigar offers shadow, and together they meet in a harmonious middle.

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