Irish Single Malt Whiskey XO Daily Dram

Actually, you can already start calling this a bit of an oldie, because The Nectar already bottled it in 2016 to celebrate their 10th anniversary. And although my list of irish whiskey tasted this year – with great thanks to Benny J who is responsible for this – has already become very long, I am glad that it is not missing. An XO, god bless. A term borrowed from the cognac world. Extra Old. In whiskey terms that hopefully means something different than in cognac terms, because an XO is 6 to 10 years old. For whiskey, that's very young, right? Anyway. Some whisper that this is Bushmills, others say it is Teeling. Me? No idea. Let me taste first, yes?

A delicate, slightly floral nose on a lot of white fruit, almonds, papaya and some menthol. Relatively creamy. A little herbal with hay and something of grapevines after a rain shower. Nut cake. Banana chips. Well, quite complex and absolutely attractive.

Good mouthfeel. Nice and oily and immediately spicy on white pepper and nutmeg. Things are softened relatively quickly by some honey and a drop of maple syrup. Banana and papaya return, are supplemented with pink grapefruit and a slightly bitter note. Excellent balance, although the alcohol still makes itself felt.

Long, satisfying and slightly drying finish.

Excellent selection. Teeling? Bushmills? I don't care, it's just very tasty. Thanks for this umpteenth sample, Benny.