Whisky: Writers Tears Copper Pot Marsala Cask Finish
Producer: Walsh Whiskey
Distillery: Walsh Whiskey Distillery
Whisky Type: Irish Blend (Single Malt and Single Pot Still whiskies)
Age: NAS
Region: County Carlow. Ireland
ABV: 45%
Aged in Cask: ex-Bourbon, ex-PX sherry and ex-Marsala casks
Price Range: $$

Writers Tears Copper Pot is an Irish Whiskey made at Walsh distillery in County Carlow, Ireland. The distillery founders Bernard and Rosemary Walsh wanted to bring back the Copper Pot Still Irish style from 200 years ago, characterized by a sweet and delicate fruity style ideal for a non-traditional cask finishing.

The Walsh Distillery started operations in 2016 and produces brands like The Irishman and Writers Tears. Each brand has several expressions. The Writers Tears range has the following versions:

• Copper Pot. A blend of Single Malt and Single Pot Still whiskies without an age statement and aged in ex-bourbon barrels. Triple distilled in pot stills.
• Double Oak. A blend of Single Malt and Single Pot Still whiskies without an age statement and aged in ex-bourbon barrels and French Cognac casks. Triple distilled in pot stills.
• Red Head. A triple-distilled single malt without an age statement aged in Spanish Oloroso sherry butts.
• Single Pot Still. A Single Pot Still triple-distilled Irish Whiskey aged in ex-bourbon barrels, Pedro Ximenez (PX) Sherry casks, and finished in Marsala Hogshead from the Florio family in Sicily before being bottled at 46% ABV.
• Cask Strength. A blend of Single Pot Still and Single Malt Irish whiskies without an age statement, aged in American oak and bottled at 54.6% ABV.
• Japanese Oak. A blend of Single Malt and Single Pot Still whiskies bottled at cask strength (55% ABV) and aged in Japanese Mizunara oak.

Tasting Notes for Writers Tears Copper Pot Marsala Finish

Copper Pot Still Whiskey is a blend of Single Malt and Pot Still whiskies aged in ex-bourbon barrels, Pedro Ximenez (PX) Sherry casks, finished for 12 months in Marsala Hogshead from the Florio family in Sicily before being bottled at 46% ABV. This expression is a single-cask limited edition whiskey (cask #3319) and bottle 241 out of 888 total bottles.

A Single Pot Still or Single Pot Whiskey must contain at least 30% malted barley and at least 30% unmalted barley. The remainder of the mash may be malted or unmalted barley and may include up to 5% other unmalted cereal grains (usually oats or rye). This type of whisky must be distilled in pot stills, as opposed to column stills.

The Copper Pot Still style was enjoyed in the 1800s by many of the great Irish writers of the day due its flavorful profile and creamy texture! Some say that writers enjoyed it so much that they cried tears of whiskey. Hence, the name Writers Tears. Here are the notes for this Irish classic:

Nose: Sweet notes of apples and a bit of oak.

Palate: Apples, pepper, dry sweetness, and honey. A slight astringent spicy note from the oak.

Finish: A medium note of oak spices stands out but is not overwhelming.

Conclusion: Writers Tears with Marsala finish is an enjoyable Irish Whiskey that balances orchard fruits with a touch of oak spice on the nose and the palate. I like the 45% ABV to feel the Marsala wine sweetness and not be concerned about over-diluting the dram with a few drops of water. The whiskey shines not because of its complexity but because of its light and balanced flavor profile. A very easy-to-drink dessert whiskey and a good purchase if you like the Irish style. Slàinte!

Score: 3.75/5 ⭐

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