Nose: New-mown hay, barley, sage, rosemary, papaya, ghee, tinned fruit salad (you smell both the fruit and the tinned metal can), baked apples, green mangoes, fresh-ground coffee, pipe tobacco. After resting for a while some vanilla and surprisingly zappy, cedary oak emerges. Palate: Creamy, herbal, earthy and deep spice arrival - almost like mango chutney and raita. Sweet at first on the front of the tongue, it gains rich, but soft, spicy tones as it moves around the mouth - ginger, orange and some honey. Hugely expressive and satisfying - it reminds me of goat tagine with mint tea on the side. There is a bright intensity that is balanced by a deep spicy warmth and a grassy cereal presence that is never far away. Finish: Very long and lingering. The palate slowly segues into the finish and the herbal spices gradually ease away, replaced by a most refreshing sweet minty note in the aftertaste. Immediately after pouring, the nose is unruly and unusual but with a few minutes of rest everything starts to relax and merge. It never loses its dark herbal and fruity profile however (thankfully!). Don't add water - it just turns down the volume and this one should be enjoyed at full force. There is something about this that is uncannily like some Mortlach expressions. An earthy, meaty character that is here balanced by a very fine herbal-fruity presence. Maybe they should call it the "Beast of Midleton"? I enjoyed this immensely and it was a great way to finish today's tasting of Irish whiskey. The only problem is its high price. For the same money I can buy truly wonderful cask-strength independently bottled Scotch whisky that, as good as this is, far eclipses it. It's an excellent whiskey, nontheless, and recommended if you have deep pockets. "Excellent" : 88/100 (4.5 stars)