Whiskey Review: The Sexton Irish Single Malt
TJ Shirk • May 17, 2021
In the world of whisk(e)y there are hundreds, if not thousands of distillers in just about every corner of the world. Too many to single-handedly try. With global importing, exporting and government liquor controls it’s difficult to find or get various producers in your region. So even if you wanted to try everything, you will find roadblocks I’m sure.
For the world of Irish whiskey I had previously only been exposed to the major players, the likes of Jameson, Bushmills, and Tullamore D.E.W. and their various product lines. In nearly every liquor store in Ontario I’ve visited, Irish Whiskey appears to be the smallest segment of the whisk(e)y section. Once the major brands have their spot on a shelf that doesn’t leave much room for other unique offerings. No two stores will carry the same inventory either. So with an already limited selection and a somewhat random displacement of unique products, things can slip past you.
For the sake of The Sexton Single Malt Irish Whiskey, this one slipped past me. I did not see this on my local shelves. I was informed of this whiskey by Tas Fraser of @girlwithaciderreview on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Untappd.
Tas runs an excellent cider review page and is an ardent advocate for women’s empowerment against misogyny in the craft beverage industry. She is wonderful, please check out her pages and give her your support.
Upon receiving Tas’ recommendation I set out and tracked down a bottle. My first thoughts were how great the bottle looked. A beautiful hexagonal black bottle with punchy copper coloured text. The bottle is actually dark amber glass, giving the appearance of a black bottle. A dapper skeleton in a top hat adorns the label and the cork stopper. A very unique and eye catching package.
In the glass the whiskey is copper in colour, reminiscent of dark golden honey. On the nose I get notes of honey, caramel, baking spices and citrus fruit. A welcoming aroma for sure. First sip is warm and sweet, woody and delicate, but not weak. Flavours of candied nuts, honey and spice. The finish is long and pleasant. The honey flavours evolve to flavours of brûléed bananas on the distant finish.
The Sexton has a mashbill of only unpeated Irish malted barley, distilled in copper pots and is aged in Oloroso Sherry casks. Crafted by Alex Thomas and distilled in County Antrim Ireland, bottled at 80 Proof. Alex is a female master blender, one of few in the whisk(e)y world.
I enjoyed The Sexton with a plate of strong Welsh cheddar, smoked gouda and manchego, alongside some buttery crackers. The Sexton’s sweet and nutty flavours paired exceptionally well with the cheeses, there was a lovely sweetness brought out in the cheddar and the nuttiness of manchego smoothed out and matched the nuttiness of the whiskey.
I also found a single ice cube of distilled water added to the whiskey allowed it to really open up. Softening the alcohol and intensifying the honey and caramel notes.
The Sexton is a very nice drinking whiskey at a very reasonable price*. It outshines the major brands of Irish whiskies in my book. A welcomed bottle in my bar. I would give it 9/10. My gripe is that the bottle does not pour very well. The bottle I purchased dripped with every pour and wasted precious drops of whiskey. Not sure if this bottle has a slight defect. The shape of the bottle may also contribute to additional “glugging” while pouring causing the dripping. Adding a pour spout remedied the dripping issue from the bottle.
If you find yourself looking to try something new or are completely new to Irish whiskey, I would recommend trying The Sexton. Excellent on it’s own or as part of your favourite cocktail. Request it at your local liquor store.
*Current retail price is $49.95 in Ontario