Irish whiskey tasting, The Oak Barrel, Sydney, 7 Feb 2019. Whisky #4 Nose: Dried fruit, toasted cereal grains, roasted almonds, a little vanilla, leather, and a dark floral sweetness reminiscent of apricot liqueur. Palate: Full, rich arrival with abounding malty flavours - dark honey, slightly bitter syrup, apple, walnut. There's a firm tannic note from the oak but it's balanced by some vanilla and a dark treacle flavour. The texture is medium-bodied and very agreeable. Finish: Medium. A pleasant fruity grainy quality with a nutty aftertaste. The nose is less flowery-floral than some Irish whiskey, with the malted grain providing an earthy depth. It's a complex whiskey that is nonetheless easy to drink, with a nuanced balance between sweet cereal and dry oak notes. It has a resolute and uncompromising profile similar to Balblair. Very enjoyable neat, and a dash of water brings out further sweetness, if that is your preference, without unbalancing the profile. The distillate was sourced from Midleton and maturation was in ex-bourbon barrels followed by finishing in Limousin oak casks. An enjoyable and interesting whiskey that is well worth the asking price. "Very Good" : 85/100 (4 stars)