Visual: Light amber/gold color. Thin legs. They don’t persist for long. Nose: Out of the bottle and into the glass, the first impression was perfume – floral and light, with some alcohol. Upon approaching the glass closer, I caught more alcohol, and some floral/herbal notes not unlike gin. After some time to open up, these notes dissipate completely, and are replaced by vanilla and honey – almost like a baklava topped with whipped cream to which a light dusting of vanilla bean has been added. Palate: Comes across at first as very bourbonesque, with vanilla and spice (like a high rye mash, with some barrel spices thrown in), but develops on the mid-palate with much more cereal grain than a bourbon. Some peppermint and faint smokiness (not at all like peat; more in the realm of barrel char) also develops on the palate. Finish: The finish is fairly long and warm. The finish is dryer than the nose and initial palate, with some oaky tannins remaining for a while. Empty glass: Toffee and pecans. I approached my late Irish whiskey excursion with some skepticism. There are certain Irish whiskeys that I’ve tried that just didn’t do much for me. I must say that my most recent samplings have started to change my impression. This whiskey was really good – I mean, not Lagavulin 16 good, but few are. I kept thinking “I could drink this.” As it is available locally, I just might. I also might consider giving it as a gift to somebody not super familiar with Irish whiskeys, as it is approachable and easy to sip. This whiskey deserves four stars.