2 | Spirits | Ireland | Page 3

"The smashing bouquet features delightful notes of toasted wheat bread, oatmeal, black raisins, trail mix, roasted chestnuts, bacon fat, sweet butter, ruby Port and prunes. Entry is peppery, moderately sweet and smoky; midpalate features succulent tastes of dark chocolate-covered cherries and strawberries, honey and smoked nuts. Finishes elegantly and clean, with deft traces of smoke and cocoa." 96-100 pts.

"Lovely scents of sweet grains, sugared breakfast cereal and pine make for pleasing sniffing. Entry is nimble, gently sweet, almost piney and honeyed; the midpalate stage carries on with style and smoothness, as the taste profile remains steadfast and mildly sweet. Finishes with a honey thrust that’s exhilarating and delightful." 85-89 pts.

"Wonderful aromas of smoked trout, lead pencil, ink, dried fruit, beeswax, toasted Brazil nut and parchment. Entry is satiny, potent yet grainy sweet, and honeyed; at the fabulous midpalate the flavors include sweet grain, paraffin, salted butter, dry breakfast cereal, toffee, honey and a trace of Sherry. Finish is sublimely elegant and sophisticated." 96-100 pts.

"The bouquet aromas include barley malt, asparagus, hollandaise, dry breakfast cereal, white peppercorns and salt. Entry is soft, citrusy-orangy, moderately baked and toasty; an almond nougat taste enters at midpalate and nicely offsets the dry maltiness and vegetal flavors. Shows solid presence and a hint of heather in the finish." 85-89 pts.

"The early stage aroma is fresh, malty, yeasty/beery and honey-like; further aeration stimulates intriguing notes of nougat, milk chocolate and oaky vanilla. Palate entry offers pleasantly fruity/grainy tastes that are off-dry. Ends up semisweet, candied and even a tad sherried." 85-89 pts.

"An abundance of earthy aromas, leather, tobacco with layers of charred wood, dark chocolate and treacle toffee. Full bodied spice front followed by vanilla, honey and dried apricot."