The Sexton 11 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey

As regular visitors here to the Great Drams website will likely be aware, it tends to be Scotch that we focus on, rather than other popular whiskies such as Irish, Bourbon, and Rye. That doesn’t however, mean that we aren’t as passionate about whiskies from other parts of the world.

Recently we’ve been giving Irish whiskey a lot of attention, and I’ve found myself really enjoying a lot of drams from across the Irish Sea. One which I’ve been particularly impressed with as of late is Sexton.

When I heard they’d recently extended their range and released their very first age-statement expression, as a Global Travel Retail Exclusive no less, I just had to find out more.

A First for Everything

Sexton single malt Irish whiskey isn’t just big over here, it’s also proving to be very popular Stateside as well. Their recent Sexton Original has received a lot of praise of late, and is really helping Irish whiskey to go more mainstream once more.

As Sexton Original proved so popular, you just knew they weren’t going to stop there, and sure enough, they recently released a brand-new expression, as a Global Travel Retail Exclusive. This isn’t just any new whiskey, it was actually the first of what will surely be many, age-statement expressions.

Sexton want to make Irish whiskey more accessible for everyone, and have set out to create, in their words ‘a modern and approachable take on Irish single malt’. Well, spoiler alert, they’ve definitely achieved that.

Not Your Average Whiskey

Just like its predecessor, this whiskey is Irish through and through. Made from 100% malted Irish barley, it’s designed to push boundaries and give the Global Travel Retail market something it’s been lacking for some time.

This isn’t your typical bottle of Irish whiskey that you pick up down at your local supermarket. It’s not even a whiskey you make a special trip into town for, it’s exclusively for the travel retail duty free stores you find at airports before jetting off somewhere exciting.

Created by the immensely talented Master Blender Alex Thomas, the whiskey underwent that signature copper pot still, triple-distillation process synonymous with Irish whiskey, to give it that velvety smooth finish.

Aged for more than a decade in French oak, Oloroso sherry seasoned casks it just has that special feel to it. It’s not your average whiskey, it can’t be purchased just anywhere, and it’s that which helps make it feel special. And that’s before you even taste it.

The Sexton 11 Year Old Irish Whiskey

For those who enjoy their drams with more than a hint of sherry, The Sexton 11 Year Old is the perfect dram.

Thanks to the copper pot stills used in the triple distillation process, this whiskey is ridiculously smooth, despite its 43% ABV. In fact, you’d swear you were drinking something half that strength, as there is virtually no harshness at all.

Matured for eleven long, glorious years in Oloroso sherry seasoned French oak casks, it isn’t as dark in colour as I was expecting, as it’s taken on a light chestnut hue, which looks absolutely stunning I have to say.

On the nose, you immediately get those fruity sherry notes. It reminded me on a dessert wine. There’s a great deal of sticky figs, raisins, and dried apricots. Another sniff and you should pick up toasted almonds and hazelnuts, with a light spicy undertone. A bit of Jamaican ginger cake perhaps? There’s definitely a familiarity there.

On the palate the sherry notes really come into their own, with elevated notes of plums, dates, prunes, and caramel honey. There are also subtle undertones of dark chocolate and baking spices. There’s also more than just a hint of vanilla and oak.

The finish is a lengthy, drawn-out process, and, I absolutely love that about this dram. There’s light salted caramel, golden honeycomb, spice, charred oak, and that signature Sexton finish of fruit cake and black treacle.

The Sexton 11 Year Old was released at the start of the year in January 2025 in Dublin and Cork airports. If you can’t get to these airports, however, worry not, because a wider rollout for Global Travel Retail hubs is on the cards for later in the year.

If you’d like to learn more about your favourite whiskies, or simply treat yourself to a dram or two in the process, head on over to GreatDrams.com and take a look at what we have to offer.

With an impressive selection of limited-edition, rare, and award-winning whisky, as well as heaps of whisky info on our blog, it’s the perfect spot for any whisky lovers out there.

Photo Credit: Irish Whisky Magazine

Tags: 11 Year OldIrish whiskeySingle MaltThe Sexton

Greg

My name is Greg, and I’m a brand strategy consultant, writer, speaker, host and judge specialising in premium spirits. My mission is to experience, share and inspire with everything great about whisky, whiskey, gin, beer and fine dining through my writing, my brand building and my whisky tastings.