I really want to like this. I love single malt (scotch and irish version) and I love pot still Irish Whiskey. It sounds so promising. Take these two GREAT things and combine and age them together. When you first nose it, it smells nice. Fruity and maybe a little malty. It is fairly nice on the palate until the finish in which a strong bitter, maybe astringent quality takes over. I have tried it a few times and get it each time. I don't know if it is from the cask wood or maybe I got a bad bottle or what. Anyway, I added water and the finish got less bitter and a little more fruity and sweet but still there was some bitter there. Once the bottle is gone, I will not get another. I also have the cask strength but have not tried and I hope it is better. I do tend to get a little bit of bitterness at the end of Irish Pot Still in general but not like this. I recommend trying a sample or a dram at a bar if possible before buying a bottle.