Writers’ Tears Copper Pot Still Review
In-Depth Review
Writers’ Tears is an Irish whiskey that comes from a blend of single pot still and single malt Irish whiskies – making it relatively unique in the burgeoning Irish whisky scene. Many would consider pot still the definitive Irish style, but with the addition of single malt, and no grain whiskies present, Writers’ Tears is really trying to stand out. The mashbill consists of 60% malted and 40% un-malted barley – with the un-malted component historically being a hallmark of Irish whiskies. This whiskey remains non-age stated and is sourced from an unnamed Irish distillery and then blended and bottled by Walsh Whiskey Distillery in Dublin.
I came across this bottle in the clearance section of my local Gelson’s, with a sale price of only $21. This is almost $30 bucks cheaper than the MSRP of around $50 and make it almost a crime not to pick up a bottle.
Age: Non-Age Stated
ABV: 40%
Cask: Ex-Bourbon
MSRP: Around $50
Distillery Name: Walsh Whiskey Distillery
Review Date: 11/30/20
Color: Pale Gold
Nose: Sugar, confectionaries, bubblegum. After the initial strength of the sweetness - malt and cream come to the forefront, with vanilla and citrus making an appearance as well. This is a light nose, indicative of its 80 proof.
Palate: This whiskey is subtle, elegant and sweet. The strongest flavor at first is malt, with hints of vanilla and oak that remain subdued in comparison to the malt. The longer the whiskey sits on your tongue the sweeter it gets. Whipped cream and cookies. It shows some of the fruity qualities that is typical of many Irish whiskies like Redbreast but it isn’t a dessert-y sweet. Instead, the malt balances the sweetness decently well. Overall, the mouthfeel is quite light, with moments of richness but lacks overall body. There were a few moments where I struggled to find any discernable flavors at all.
Finish: Short to medium. Lingering sweetness with very little spice. Soft and delicate finish with little to no burn. A very easy drinker.
Final Thoughts: This is an interesting whiskey – but not always in the best ways. It’s unusual because it doesn’t feature as much shortbread, citrus, or pastry that I normally associate with Irish whiskies. Instead it feels like a younger single grain whisky with an elegant, subtly to it. This is an easy drinker, but one that struggles to stand out. There is a limited-edition cask strength offering that would likely solve any of the issues noted about its 40% ABV little brother. At its suggested MSRP I don’t think I will be reaching for this over a Redbreast 12.
