Introduction
I picked up The Sexton 11 Year Old out of curiosity more than anything else. I’d had the original NAS (no age statement) Sexton before and remembered its bold sherry-forward profile and unusual black bottle. So when I saw this age-stated edition, matured entirely in Oloroso sherry casks and bottled at a higher strength, I wanted to see how the extra years had shaped the character. I went in expecting something richer and a bit more refined – and that’s pretty much what I got.
Nose
The nose has a clear sherry cask signature right from the start – dark fruits like figs and raisins, baked apples, and a touch of cinnamon. There's a bit of burnt toffee lingering at the edges. Unlike the standard Sexton, this one has a noticeable oak char aroma underneath, giving it a sense of weight and darker tone. After a few minutes in the glass, I picked up a hint of orange peel and damp earth, which added some balance to the sweeter notes.
Palate
The first sip delivered a full-bodied, almost chewy mouthfeel, which I enjoyed. Right away there's a big hit of dried fruits and spice – think prunes, candied ginger, and black pepper. The whiskey doesn't hide its time in the cask: there’s a firm backbone of toasted oak, clove, and nuttiness throughout. Sweetness is definitely present (treacle or dark honey comes to mind), but it never feels overly rich or syrupy. There's also a subtle bitter cocoa note mid-palate that keeps things grounded. Overall, it’s well put together and more complex than I expected.
Finish
The finish is medium to long, with a tapering warmth and gentle spice. I noticed some roasted coffee bean bitterness, a touch of anise, and the lingering echo of dried cherry. It doesn’t fade quickly – there's a steady oak tannin presence that reminds you it’s spent over a decade in wood. It has more grip and persistence than the younger expression, and I liked that it didn’t rush to disappear.
Price and Value
At around £100, this isn’t a cheap Irish whiskey, especially coming from a relatively small brand like The Sexton. But considering it’s an 11-year-old single malt, bottled at 49% ABV and fully sherry cask matured, the price starts to make more sense. It's clearly a step up in quality and complexity from the standard release. I wouldn't call it an everyday pour, but it's a fair value for what it delivers.
Background
The Sexton is produced at Bushmills Distillery, though the brand is marketed separately and takes a more modern design approach – with its black glass bottle and gothic typography. This 11-year-old edition is a limited release, matured exclusively in Oloroso sherry butts sourced from Jerez, Spain. It’s made from 100% Irish malted barley and triple distilled, a typical trait of most Irish single malts that gives it underlying smoothness despite the more intense cask influence in this case.
The decision to fully mature, rather than just finish, this whiskey in sherry casks sets it apart from many other Irish offerings in this price range.
Final Notes
I’d definitely consider buying this bottle again. It’s not something I’d reach for automatically on a casual night, but when I want a deeper, oakier Irish pour with strong sherry character, it’s among my top choices. I wouldn’t necessarily call it a beginner’s whiskey – the bitterness, spice, and oak grip might be a bit much for someone just getting into single malts. But for those already into sherried styles like certain GlenDronach or Redbreast Lustau, this one fits nicely.
If you’re wondering when to pour it, I find it works best after dinner, when you have time to sit with it. Compared to most other Irish single malts I’ve tried, The Sexton 11 stands out for its darker tone and firmer structure – not necessarily better or worse, just different. That difference is exactly what made it worth the try for me.