The Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey 10 Years Old Finished in Madeira Casks, 46% ABV

Color: a nearly orange tinged gold, both in the bottle and in the glass. The liquid is nearly the color on the canister in which the bottle is packaged.

Nose: light alcohol wafts up with orange zest, sweet cereal and the lychee like aroma that I associate with good Irish malt whiskies. Perhaps a hint of cinnamon. Adding a few drops of water lifts the sweetness while dissipating the alcohol.

Palate: surprisingly strong alcohol on the fore before adding the few drops of water. Soft and sweet, the orange zest and sweet cereal on the nose come through on the palate. Toward the finish, a gentle hint of fennel joins the party. The finish is relatively short, but pleasing. The mouth feel is dry and crisp, not at all syrupy as can happen with fortified wine finishes.

This is a very nice whiskey, and the Madeira cask finish gives the classic Tyrconnell juice a lot of extra flavor. This is not a big and bold whiskey, nor is it especially complex. It is just good and tasty, easy to pair with cheeses and desserts, especially crisp fruits like apples and pears, as well as custards and tarts. At a reasonable price point ($75 or less most places I have seen it in the US), it is a good buy, more for the home than the office cabinet.