Writers’ Tears Seaweed IPA Cask Finish
This single cask limited edition is a Writers’ Tears – Copper Pot, triple-distilled, blend of single pot still and single malt whiskeys and laid down for 14 months to finish in a cask infused with the flavour of an 8% IPA beer laced with a seaweed harvest from the nearby Atlantic Ocean. The resulting 306 individually numbered bottles were bottled naturally, non-chill filtered, at 56.3% ABV. RRP €82.
Omar Fitzell Notes
Fresh and fruity. Grapefruit, citrus peel and a toffee sweetness combine to make this inviting. A short floral note -lavender maybe along with the slighted hint of brine.
Palate
Creamy yet spicy mouthfeel. Green apples quarters dipped in honey. Citrus makes an appearance again with some vanilla, hops and even some melon.
Finish
Medium. A white pepper spice tingles the mouth while that citrus continues.
Overall
Writers’ Tears have produced some great cask finishes and this is no exception to that. Well balanced, it does take a small drop of water to pull back on that pepper spice and reveal a more wonderful fruit.
Al Higgins notes
Nose
Needs a bit of coaxing but repeated swirling in the glass reveals aromas of strawberries, oranges, pear, rose wine and red apples.
Palate
Assertive and powerful, it needs water! Light and delicate mouthfeel with a myriad of tropical fruits, pears, grapes, fruit drops and floral flavours. Saline and sharp. Seems a little youthful.
Finish
Fruity but short.
Overall
A good addition to the Writers Tears range but not my favourite cask finish. The base spirit here seems youthful and almost grainy. Nonetheless it is very drinkable, and the quick finish makes you want to refill your glass.
Omar Fitzell
Omar has been lurking in the background of the Irish Whiskey Industry since 2010 when he started his journey through tasting, enjoying and collecting whiskey. In January 2018 he launched the online blog “That’s Dram Good” which, in those few short months, has become one of the most popular whiskey blogs in Ireland.
You can find him on:
• Twitter – @thatsdramgood
• Facebook – ThatsDramGood
Al Higgins
Over 20 years of experience in drinks retail and a member of the team at the Celtic Whiskey Shop since 2003. Alastair is chief tester and taster at the shop and is also coordinator for the Irish Whiskey Awards. When he is not working he is either training for ultra-marathons, parenting or drumming with his band Le Galaxie.
You can find him on:
• Twitter – @mostlydrinking