About This Dram
I’ve been itching to try this whisky for almost a year now. Back in February of this year we almost featured this whisky in our “Bodega To Bothy” masterclass all about sherry cask whisky. I decided, however, to save if for the Irish themed class in March. Unfortunately, that plan was scuppered by me opening my big ol’ mouth and talking about this whisky at the sherry masterclass. Despite it not even being featured, we promptly sold out!
Finally, we’ve been able to source some more of this sought after special edition – and we can finally all taste it together! But what’s all of the fuss about? That’s a darn good question.
Writers Tears is a cult favourite pot still whisky brought to us by Walsh. Sourced from New Middleton, it is a classic Irish-style whisky with a great name and eye-catching branding. Walsh are also the creators of “The Irishman” single malts, also very highly regarded. Rather confusingly, when it came time for them to make a single malt using fresh ex-oloroso casks, they decided to use the Writers Tears branding rather than The Irishman. So while the original Writers Tears is a pot still, containing a percentage of unmalted barley, this is entirely malted.
The name is in reference to the slight red hue from the sherry casks. With the Writers Tears branding, I know a few well-read red-heads that would probably by a bottle on its name alone! The sherry cask flavour makes it a perfect whisky for the winter season – so if you missed out in February, now’s your chance.
Dram Association Panel Notes
It starts on the nose with Worther’s Originals, followed by cinder toffee. Then comes a little dried fruit, perhaps apricot, and mandarin peel. There’s a malty base to it all helping to keep rhythm.
The palate starts with off with the mandarins, this time complete with juice and even pith. There’s cinnamon and mint in the mix too, and it just makes us want to put our feet up by the fire and enjoy a good book.
