The Sexton Single Malt

Nose: wonderful. Orange and vanilla intertwined with fresh oak and nutty malt. Sweet and pleasant, like a top-notch Speyside malt. Love at first sniff.

Taste: medium-bodied and creamy on the tongue. Immediate sweetness with vanilla and citrus, followed by some grape and then oaky dryness along with some gentle spice. Well-rounded and smooth.

Finish: just a slight hint of bitterness which doesn't detract from the overall experience. Lingering oak and sherry.

Balance: this is my kind of whiskey. The lack of an age statement is no problem when the malt and cask selection are this good. Easy-drinking yet extremely satisfying, this is the perfect dram for a summer afternoon. It is also distinctive, bearing little resemblance to other Irish whiskies I've had. A repeat buy for sure, and a new favourite value malt.