Hibernia Distillers Hyde 10 year old Presidents Cask

I've used that title before, but now it's even more suitable. Hyde 10 year old No. 1 Presidents Cask is an Irish single malt, that gets its name after the first Irish President, Douglas Hyde. Not so long after the Irish war for Independence. The Wind That Shakes The Barley is a movie about that war.

Hyde 10 yrs is bottled by Hibernia Distillers, sourced from Cooley distillery. Matured in Ex-Bourbon barrels and finished in Ex-Oloroso Sherry casks. Non chill filtered and no added colour. I have to mention that this was a free sample by them.

Nose: Mellow but good. Smooth with sherry and apricot and small amounts of licorice. Barley and oak there as well. Good start.

Taste: Malty with hints of warming spices. Dry oak and dried fruits with some bitter floral feel. Give it few drops of water and time in the glass. After a while, the malt gets sweeter and good fruity and sherried notes start to rise. Orange marmalade with wee smoke buried in the deep.

Finish: Long and dry. With addition of water, the dryness goes away bit. Licorice with pepper and warming spices. Sherry and oak too.

Balance: Nice whiskey that needs air time and water. Only the nose felt better without water so do lots of sniffing before the water dripping. How poetic was that!