This aged spirit shows Irish whiskey's dark side. It retains the enticing fresh-fruit aroma of younger bottlings, plus a luscious layer of butterscotch. On the palate, it's oaky and drying, with complex notes of toffee, dark chocolate, toasted nuts, caramel and a spicy finish. The whiskey is aged for a minimum of 19 years in former oloroso Sherry and Bourbon barrels, then transferred to Madeira casks for the final two years of maturation. Treat it like Scotch: add just a splash of water to open up the flavors.
93 points, Wine Enthusiast (Mar 2014)