16 Mar Whisky Wednesday: Writer’s Tears Pot Still Irish Whiskey

In honour of St Patrick’s Day, this week’s Whisky Wednesday features our first Irish whiskey (note the spelling)!

 
Whisky: Writer’s Tears Pot Still Irish Whiskey
Distiller: Walsh Whiskey
Country: Ireland
Type: Vatted malt whisky
ABV: 40%

Colour (what does it look like?):
Pale gold

Nose (what does it smell like?):
Honey toast, light citrus peel, pear, vanilla

Palate (what does it taste and feel like?):
Honey, vanilla, malt, green apple, caramel

Finish (how does the flavour finish on the palate?):
Warming, sweet, good length

Background

The word ‘whisky’ or ‘whiskey’ comes from the Gaelic phrase ‘uisce beatha’ (Irish) or ‘uisge beatha’ (Scottish), meaning ‘water of life’. Irish and American drams use ‘whiskey’ with an ‘e’ while most whiskies from other regions use ‘whisky’.

By law, Irish whiskey must be produced in Ireland and aged in wooden casks for a period of no less than three years, although it is often aged much longer than that.

Writer’s Tears is a blend of malt whiskey and pure pot still whiskey aged in bourbon casks. Pure pot still whiskey is a relatively new type of whiskey – it’s made at a single distillery in a pot still from a mixed mash of malted and unmalted “green” barley. Most Irish pot still whiskey is distilled three times compared to Scotches which are usually distilled twice, and often without peat, Irish whiskies tend to have a smoother finish.

There are currently only seven distilleries in operation in Ireland – the majority producing malt and grain blends or single malts – so pure pot still whiskies are pretty unique. Writer’s Tears proprietor, Bernard Walsh, has privileged access to the warehouses of certain Irish distillers from where he selects the casks for his own labels.

And funnily enough, Writer’s Tears has traditionally been a favourite of Irish writers suffering from writer’s block. Slainte!

Best drinking

Neat or with a touch of water

What do you think?

Leave a comment with your thoughts on Writer’s Tears Pot Still Irish Whiskey – or come try it at Tokyo Bird tonight or tomorrow for St Paddy’s Day! Mention #WhiskyWednesdays to get free bar snacks with your Whisky of the Week (Wednesdays only).