Introduction
We’re excited to dive into today’s review of The Sexton Single Malt Irish Whiskey. Released in the U.S. in 2018, The Sexton is a relatively new player in the world of Irish whiskey, but it certainly stands out. Not just because of its unique, hexagonal black bottle and copper-embossed label, but because of what’s inside as well. This whiskey is a single malt, which tells us it’s from a single distillery and made from 100% malted barley. It’s bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) and has been speculated to be aged for around four years. There’s some speculation it comes from the Bushmills distillery in Ireland’s County Antrim.
With that background in mind, let's see how this whiskey stacks up.
This review is taken from our episode The Departed / Sexton Irish Whiskey. Click the link to listen to this review in audio format.
Nose
Bob: The nose is really bright and fruity. I get a lot of pear and apple notes, along with that distinct barley, malty smell you often find in single malts. There’s also a touch of sweetness, almost like honey and grains. It reminds me a lot of lower-end blended Scotch whiskies, but it’s not overpowering on the alcohol. 7/10
Brad: For me, there’s definitely an alcohol-forward presence, which makes it smell a bit young. However, I’m also picking up on sweet notes of peach and pear. There’s this underlying brightness and fruitiness to the nose that’s pretty enjoyable. 7/10
Taste
Bob: Right away, there’s that fruity sweetness, maybe some honey. It’s light and floral, not a dark or caramel-heavy sweetness. As it moves across the palate, it’s really smooth and transitions well. I love how balanced it feels from front to back without much harshness. 7.5/10
Brad: I agree. Up front, I get pear and peach notes again, with that malted barley coming through as it moves to the back of the palate. There’s a bit of graininess, but it’s not overwhelming. It’s a very smooth experience with a lot going on. 7.5/10
Finish
Bob: The finish isn’t very long, but it leaves some nice grain and malted barley flavors on the tongue. It’s not drying at all; in fact, it’s pretty mouth-watering, which is a good thing. The grain lingers, but it fits in nicely with the bright, fruity profile. 7/10
Brad: I’m with you there. The finish surprised me with a bit more of that Kentucky Hug warmth, which was unexpected for an 80-proof whiskey. The flavors meld well, and it’s an enjoyable finish. 7/10
Balance
Bob: I think this is one of the more well-balanced whiskeys we’ve had on the show. It’s consistently sweet and fruity, from nose to finish. Any grainy notes are subtle and don’t overpower the fruit. This is a really well-done whiskey in terms of balance. 8.5/10
Brad: Totally agree. The movement from the front to the back of the palate is seamless. It’s a smooth, enjoyable experience, and everything works well together. 8.5/10
Value
Bob: At $34.99 in Ohio, The Sexton is a fantastic deal. It reminds me of something like Monkey Shoulder in terms of being a great value for what it offers. For its price, it’s hard to beat, and I’m going to give it a 9.5/10.
Brad: It’s priced perfectly for what it offers, but if it was just a few dollars cheaper, I’d probably give it a perfect score. That being said, at $34, it’s still an excellent value. 9/10
Final Scores
Bob: My final score for The Sexton comes out to 39.25/50. This is a really solid whiskey, and while it didn’t quite hit the 40 mark, I’d still highly recommend it.
Brad: I’m at the same place. My final score is also 39.25/50. This is a fantastic Irish whiskey, especially at this price point.
Average Score: 39.25/50
Conclusion
With an overall score of 39.25/50, The Sexton Single Malt Irish Whiskey is just shy of the coveted 40/50 mark, which would typically indicate greatness on our podcast. Even so, at its $35 price point, this whiskey is a no-brainer recommendation. It’s a well-balanced, fruity, and smooth single malt that offers great value for money. We’d say this is definitely one to buy a bottle of rather than just trying at a bar—especially if you enjoy a lighter, fruitier whiskey.
