Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link in this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.
I’ve seen Walsh Whiskey’s Writers’ Tears on store shelves and always wondered why it was so named. Thus, when I was asked to review Walsh Whiskey’s Writers’ Tears Cask Strength whiskey, I learned through research that in the 19th and 20th century, literary giants such as Oscar Wilde, W.B. Years, and Bram Stoker regularly enjoyed Irish whiskey while writing or drawing inspiration from the setting. “It was said that they enjoyed [the whiskey] so much, that when they cried, their tears were of whiskey.” While it was not the ‘tears of your enemies’ story I was hoping for, the truth was almost as satisfying.
Established in 1999, Bernard and Rosemary Walsh started Walsh Whiskey with the vision to create whiskey which “offer[s] taste profiles that are unique, through the recreation of traditional Irish whiskey recipes from the 19th Century – Ireland’s golden era of whiskey distilling.” With a market saturated by excellent Irish whiskey, the majority owned by the Pernod Ricard conglomerate, Walsh Whiskey has proved that the Writers’ Tears line is a dependably available and quality Irish whiskey.
They also have a really fun “discover your whiskey” tool on their website where you can input your preferred flavors and it will (with surprising accuracy) match a Walsh Whiskey brand and expression that most closely matches your preferences.
Walsh Whiskey has developed a range of Writers’ Tears whiskey, including four core offerings, three limited special cask finishes, and a cask strength release. The Writer’s Tears Cask Strength expression, the subject of today’s review, is a blend of Single Pot Still and Single Malt Whiskey, all triple distilled, non-chill filtered, and aged in American Oak Bourbon barrels.
To be clear, while Irish whiskeys are known for being soft and smooth, this bad boy doesn’t pull any punches. At 54.8% alcohol, it wakes you up with powerful and persistent intensity, but offers smooth and delightful flavors at the same time. Rich with creamy cinnamon and coconut, the whiskey leans equally into the understated barley while not compromising on the spicy oak flavor gleaned from the ex-bourbon barrels.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to return to playing with the “discover your whiskey” tool and enjoying this dram. Cheers.
Tasting Notes: Writers’ Tears Cask Strength Irish Whiskey (2023)
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Vital Stats: No age statement. A blend of Single Pot Still and Single Malt Whiskey, non-chill filtered and aged in American Oak Bourbon barrels. 109.6 proof (54.8% ABV). $160/700ml.
Appearance: Liquid gold sunlight with a slight drop of orange settling in the middle.
Nose: Fresh cut grass and subtle chocolate rise first. Butterscotch shines through while playing with some nutmeg.
Palate: Creamy cinnamon coconut round the start of the palate. Chai tea and bitter butterscotch quickly show up with cereal barley notes. Then the oak begins… and continues… and wow there is more oak, like really really good oak, lasting until the finish.
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