Tyrconnell 10 Year Sherry Cask Finish

First time trying this Tyrconnell, and I thought it was much better than the 10-year Madeira casked version. Initially, the aroma was harsh and smelled like alcohol and wood stain, but after an hour, it became much sweeter and fruitier, though still quite woody. Both this and the Madeira casked tasted as if they had been soaked in a barrel of antique chairs. It was sweeter after sitting, matching the Madeira casked before it sat. The color was a dark orange-yellow, like urine after a high-protein meal with not enough fluids. The finish was similar to the taste, with less strong alcohol and more wood than the Madeira. It reminded me of the Macallan Edition 4, which I adore, but this was less complex and satisfying. I didn't focus on the mouthfeel; it was adequate. Ultimately, I'll always see this as a less expensive, decent alternative to the Macallan Edition 4. Once it sat, it was significantly better than the Madeira casked 10-year.

This particular bottling truly surprised me. My initial taste and smell led me to believe I had overpaid for it (around $100 CAD). I tried it two more times, giving it a fair chance since I bought it. I still wasn't very impressed. However, as I got to the halfway point of the bottle, something clicked. I found myself reaching for it frequently. Now that it's finished, I want to buy another. It's creamy, occasionally peppery, with a sweet finish. This is one of those spirits that catches you off guard. It reminds me of what a friend says about relationships – how they start might not be how they end, and everything in between matters. This was a really enjoyable experience with this bottle.

Color: I'd describe it as amber. Nose: It has a clay or waxy quality, wine notes, nuttiness, clove, cinnamon/nutmeg, and bubblegum fruitiness. Palate: Slightly sulfuric, fruity, oily, with notes of apple. Finish: Short and drying. I had this on my watchlist for a while and finally decided to purchase it. Despite being 46% ABV and double-distilled (much like Scotch single malts), it possesses a unique quality... it also has the characteristic smoothness of Irish whiskies. This is a good way to introduce newcomers to single malts, or something beyond the typical Jameson!

Tastes quite similar to Aberlour A'bunadh but with a lower ABV. Curiously, the nose has citrus and grapefruit notes with a dark cherry undertone. The taste mirrors this with chocolate and dark fruit. I don't detect typical Irish flavors, perhaps the sherry influence is dominant.

The sherry is prominent but doesn't overpower the classic Irish Whiskey spice and floral/oak notes. The sherry finish is a pleasant change. It would be worth buying if it were half the price and/or smoother. Priced at $99 in Ontario.

It's surprising this one has such low ratings. Three of us tasted it tonight and really liked it. The aftertaste is a little rough, but it has plenty of flavor, sherry notes, and more. A good dram, and I'd give it a 4.