As big fan of Irish whiskey and sherried whiskies I thought I was going to love this. I thought wrong. Perhaps I simply overhyped this in my head or perhaps my palate was just a bit off (it happens), but whatever the reason it just didn't quite work for me. This reasonably priced, travel retail expression is bottled at 46% ABV and is actually a single malt rather than Tullamore Dew's usual blended whiskey offering. The nose was very spicy with some dark chocolate and fruitcake. I found it quite brash and assertive. The taste was sharp with caramel, cayenne pepper, flat cola, vanilla and some banana. Lots of oak as well which stays though the finish along with black pepper and tannins. It gets a little better with water (and for me this needed more than a drop or too) which helps to tone it down. The mouthfeel gets creamier with some coffee and bitter orange peel notes. Much better and more balanced with the water.
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