The Sexton Single Malt Irish Whiskey

18 Nov 24

VA ABC- $34.99

Total Wine - $39.99

Class VI - $XX.xx

ABV - 40%

AGE - 4 Years Old

From the VA ABC website:  Crafted by Alex Thomas, one of a few female master blenders in the industry, The Sexton is made from 100% Irish malted barley and is triple-distilled for smoothness in copper pot stills. The whiskey is aged to perfection in hand-selected European oak barrels: first air-dried for a minimum of 16 months, then toasted from the inside to a medium-high level and seasoned with Oloroso sherry for two years. A whiskey for when the details matter. 

From Wikipedia: A sexton is an officer of a church, congregation, or synagogue charged with the maintenance of its buildings and/or an associated graveyard. In smaller places of worship, this office is often combined with that of verger.[1] Larger establishments, such as cathedrals, may employ a team of sextons.[2]  Who knew?  I’ve always misread the title thinking it was sextant.  Nope.  Something totally different.  

Sexton is a reasonably-priced quality Irish whiskey.  I really enjoy it.  If you aren’t sure then I recommend getting a mini of your preferred Irish whiskey and have a tasting with the two.  I’m confident you’ll learn something.  There’s a Walking Dead special edition version of The Sexton connecting it to the popular tv show.  

There is something that I find interesting about their website:  They say that The Sexton is a ‘single malt’ which means it’s not a blend of different whiskies.  And yet the website also says that Alex Thomas, one of a few female master blenders in the industry.  If she was a master distiller, they would say that, but they don’t.  I’m not sure what her role is in the production of the single malt Sexton, but I’m happy to see more women in the business.  I was recently listening to a Bourbon Pursuit podcast.  They were interviewing a master distiller who said that most of this distiller’s tasting team were women.  The pros are finding that women have a more-discerning palette and are able to blend whiskies more accurately.  Well allrighty then!  Lady’s there’s a demand for you in the whiskey world!  Sounds like a pretty great job opportunity.

Seneng!

Cocktail

You could use Sexton for a traditional Highball (whiskey and club soda or ginger ale) or a traditional manhattan.  This week we feature a “Barista's Old Fashioned”.  I try to keep the ingredients of the cocktails I recommend within reason.  If you don’t readily have it, you can find it at the local liquor store.  

Barsista’s Old Fashioned

Ingredients

2 PARTS THE SEXTON SINGLE MALT

0.5 PART OF COFFEE LIQUEUR

2 DASHES ANGOSTURA BITTERS

Combine ingredients in a mixing glass. Add ice and stir until cold. Strain into a Double Old-Fashioned Glass over fresh ice. Garnish with Orange Peel.