Review: Writers’ Tears Irish Whiskey – Inniskillin Ice Wine Cask and Japanese Cask Finish
In recent years, Writers’ Tears has launched a series of limited edition releases, all single cask offerings with exotic finishes, which is something of a strength of the distillery.
Today we’re looking at two of these — release #8, finished in Inniskillin Ice Wine casks, and release #6, finished in Japanese mizunara oak. Both seem to start with standard Writers’ Tears whiskey as their base — a blend of pot still and single malt — though the bottling proof of each whiskey varies. They both sound so exciting I couldn’t decide which to dig into first.
Eventually, I had to break the impasse and pour a glass of each. Thoughts follow.
Writers’ Tears Irish Whiskey – Inniskillin Ice Wine Cask Review
Ice wine served as the finishing cask for our #1 whiskey of 2024, so I had extremely high hopes for it here. Perhaps too much so….
Twelve months of ice wine finishing has surprisingly not given this whiskey the fruity, Sauternes-like sweetness I was expecting, but rather a curious red wine character, sharp and a little tannic, featuring notes of orange oil and cinnamon. There’s a greener quality to the whiskey that builds with time in glass: notes of thyme and a heavy herbal tone, neither of which connote ice wine in the slightest.
The palate is again quite odd, with an oxidized flavor that evokes Marsala rather than ice wine — sharp and oxidized. Overtones of toasted coconut and a sharper orange peel character soon emerge, then torched lemon peel. Shifting from Marsala, the whiskey offers oloroso sherry vibes. The finish showcases a more dessert-like character, but none particularly wine-like, including lighter chocolate notes, almond nougat, and vanilla creme brulee, with a final rush of lemon-orange acidity on top. It’s a pleasant enough whiskey — and one which drinks far hotter than its 46% abv would suggest — but what I really, really wanted was for that sweet ice wine to shine through.
92 proof. Reviewed: Cask #4173.
B+ / $90 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Writers’ Tears Irish Whiskey – Japanese Cask Finish Review
The essence of Japan shines through on this whiskey immediately, which doesn’t exactly surprise given the general delicacy of Irish whiskey. The nose showcases the unmistakable elements of mizunara wood, gently tannic and laced with a mix of delicate spice and umami notes. Time in glass evokes notes of sesame and a heavier barrel char quality.
The palate does not rock the boat: Honey-sweet up top, then quite fruit-laden, the whiskey is warm at 55% abv, but tempered by soothing notes of coconut and sesame, then more traditional caramel and honey notes. Time in glass again brings out more char and, on the tongue, some black pepper which adds a bolder raciness to the proceedings. Lightly candied on the back end, here the fruit sweetens up further en route to a finish that melds sesame cookies with brown banana and almond brittle. Allspice clings to the palate on the fade-out.
Honestly, this tastes very similar to any number of actual Japanese whiskeys I’ve encountered in recent years, threading the needle between sweet and savory quite deftly — though ultimately the needle leans heaviest into fruit.
110 proof. Reviewed: Cask #1733.
A- / $120 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
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