The John’s Lane expression sits atop the Powers range, and carries a 12-year age statement, non-chill filtration, and a healthy 46% ABV. All of this sounds like a recipe for a fantastic Irish whiskey. Let’s see how it fares.

With Redbreast 12 Cask Strength being the full-bodied, undiluted, non-chill filtered, no color added, highest ABV whiskey in the Redbreast core lineup, you can imagine this should be to be one incredible experience.

Writers’ Tears goes up against the biggest names in Irish whiskey with an upscale price point and an elegant demeanor. Is it enough to topple my favorites from Midleton?