Writers Tears Cask Strength 2022 Triple Distilled Pot & Malt Irish Whiskey 70 cl 54,6%

Legend has it that when Ireland's great poets wept, their tears took on the glow of whiskey. Walsh Whiskey borrowed the story for a name and a style, and here it is bottled at a full 54.6%. Pear drops and candied fruit come first, followed by an herb garden in full bloom.

Expert description

Writers Tears Cask Strength Vintage Release 2022 is a Pot & Malt Irish Whiskey matured in American oak bourbon casks and bottled at 54.6%.

This is the 12th edition of Walsh Whiskey's annual Cask Strength series from Carlow. The 2022 vintage is a closed chapter, while the series carries on with new releases. The full run was 7,920 bottles, with 2,100 going to the USA and 5,820 to the rest of the world. Every bottle is individually numbered and signed by Bernard Walsh, the man behind Writers Tears.

Inside is a vatting of Single Pot Still and Single Malt Irish Whiskey, both triple distilled and matured in lightly toasted American oak. Single Pot Still is made from malted and unmalted barley together, Single Malt from malted barley only, and the label shows both grains side by side. Marrying the two is the whole idea behind Writers Tears, which draws on the pot still and malt blends of the 19th century. Bourbon casks tend to add sweetness and toffee, which suits the creamy finish well.

Tasting notes

Nose

Sweet and fragrant, with pear drops and candied fruit.

Palate

The sweetness opens into an herb garden in full bloom: heather honey, fennel spice and cinnamon. The flavours build in waves, and the body is full.

Finish

Creamy, chewy toffee that lingers with a warmth like a summer's evening.

Specifications

Name: Writers Tears Cask Strength Vintage Release 2022
Distillery: Walsh Whiskey
Region/Country: Ireland
Type: Pot & Malt Irish Whiskey
ABV: 54.6%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American oak bourbon casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Distillation method: Triple distilled
Bottled: 2022
Number of bottles: 5,820
Edition: Vintage Release 2022 (12th edition)
EAN no.: 5099811090923

Flavour profile

Fruity · Herbal · Spicy · Sweet · Full-bodied

Did you know?

In the 19th century, a master blend of pot still and malt whiskey, both distilled in copper pots, was known as the champagne of Irish whiskey. That is the style Walsh Whiskey set out to bring back with Writers Tears.

See our full selection of Writers Tears

Listen to our podcast:

Frequently asked questions about Writers Tears Cask Strength Vintage Release 2022

What makes Writers Tears Cask Strength Vintage Release 2022 special?

It brings Single Pot Still and Single Malt together in one Cask Strength bottling. Bernard Walsh himself says Cask Strength Irish whiskey is still quite rare, and the 2022 release is the 12th edition of the series, individually numbered and signed by him.

Is Writers Tears Cask Strength 2022 worth buying?

Yes, if you want an Irish whiskey with real bite and character. It is one closed vintage with 5,820 bottles outside the USA, it is non-chill filtered, and a Single Pot Still and Single Malt vatting is hard to find at cask strength.

What does Writers Tears Cask Strength 2022 taste like?

Sweet and herbal with a spicy edge. Expect pear drops and candied fruit on the nose, heather honey, fennel and cinnamon on the palate, and creamy toffee in the finish.

Should I drink Writers Tears Cask Strength with water or ice?

Try it neat first, then add a few drops of water if the 54.6% feels too strong. Ice mutes the delicate fruit and herbal notes. A narrow Glencairn-style glass gathers them best, and you can browse our whisky glasses.

What is the difference between Single Pot Still and Single Malt in Writers Tears?

Single Pot Still is made from both malted and unmalted barley, while Single Malt uses malted barley only. Unmalted barley typically adds a spicier, oilier character, and Writers Tears blends the two.

Who is behind Writers Tears?

The Walsh family, led by Bernard Walsh, runs Walsh Whiskey in Carlow, and Writers Tears reached the market in 2009. The whole style builds on the pot still tradition of 19th-century Ireland. Read more in our Irish Whiskey category.

Is Writers Tears Cask Strength 2022 a good gift?

Yes, a signed and numbered Cask Strength edition from a closed vintage comes with a story. It suits anyone who already knows Writers Tears and wants to try the strongest expression.