Taster

Nose: Layered elements of soft honey and subtle oak criss-crossing the crisp pot-still.

Palate: Truly magnificent honey-barley notes.

Finish: Silky and subtle, an essay in bittersweet balance with the final, drier, bitter notes reminding you of some decent age.

Comment: No two vattings are ever the same. However this is, astonishingly high quality every time. The most complex Irish of them all; a blender triumph.

Score: 9.5

Taster

Nose: Light. Fresh wood. Vanilla. Distinctly buttery.

Palate: Creamy. Vanilla. Fresh apple. Honey.

Finish: Lightly toasty. Fresh-cut cedar.

Comment: There is some virgin oak in this one, along with bourbon casks. Bonus points for trying something new, but would have expected more interesting results. I find it a bit light tasting. Try it with fresh brown bread and Dublin Bay prawns.

Score: 7.8