New malt whiskey distilled at Northern Ireland's Old Bushmills

Leading drinks distributor Proximo Spirits has launched a new brand of single malt Irish whiskey called The Sexton, which has been aged for four years in oloroso Sherry butts using liquid distilled at Old Bushmills Distillery, county Antrim.

The new whiskey is described by Proximo as an "approachable" single malt Irish whiskey.

The Sexton - derived from the medieval Latin word, sacristanus, meaning custodian of sacred objects - has been created by Alex Thomas, master blender for The Sexton and distilling co-ordinator at OId Bushmills Distillery.

The whiskey has been triple-distilled in copper pots and then aged in first, second, and third-fill oloroso casks, giving it an "approachable" profile.

"After years of experimenting with different cask profiles and laying the liquid to rest for just the right amount of time, I'm pleased to share a rich and deeply flavourful Irish single malt, perfect for every day and every man," says Thomas.

"We're purposely aging our whiskey for four years in carefully selected casks to create a fresh, new-style single malt which is bold in personality yet extremely approachable."

Old Bushmills Distillery was acquired by Jose Cuervo in 2014 in exchange for giving previous owner Diageo full control of Don Julio Tequila.

Proximo Spirits is the sister company of Jose Cuervo and is best-known for distributing the group's namesake tequila.

The Sexton will first launch in the US to capitalise on the "exponential growth the Irish whiskey category has experienced in America in recent years". The single malt will carry an RRP of US$27.99.