Walsh Whiskey, producers of Writers’ Tears, have announced a first for Irish whiskey with the creation of an Icewine finished Irish whiskey. Writers’ Tears – Icewine cask Finish has been produced in collaboration with Inniskillin Winery in Ontario, Canada, who are one of the leading producers of Ice Wine in Canada.
This limited edition release is an apparent bespoke vatting of Writers’ Tears signature Single Pot Stil & Single Malt whiskeys, which have been initially matured in ex-bourbon casks before being finished for no less than 12 months in icewine hogsheads, and then bottled at 46% ABV.
This is the latest innovation from Founders, Bernard and Rosemary Walsh, whom are on an apparent quest to “produce the finest Taoscán“. The Walshs worked in collaboration with Inniskillen’s Head Wine maker, Bruce Nicholson, to select 12 French made hogsheads.
The hogsheads arrived in Ireland in March 2020, and were filled by the team at Walsh Whiskey in May 2020 before maturing for 12 months and being bottled in May 2021. These bottles were then held by Walsh Whiskey until their release today.
Bernard Walsh, commenting on the release, said:“I first tasted icewine in 2011, so plans for this expression have been fermenting in my head for some time. With our core Writers’ Tears – Copper Pot expression we have a unique combination of predominantly spicy Single Pot Still married with Single Malt Irish whiskey. This core expression gets a whole new dynamic complimented beautifully by the intense natural sweetness imparted by Inniskillin’s show-stopping icewine.“
He added: “When taking us around the vineyard, Inniskillin’s then Head Winemaker Bruce Nicholson (now retired) explained how they only harvest well-matured, thick-skinned Vidal grapes when the weather presents a window of opportunity between -8 and -14 degrees Celsius. Bruce’s ideal ‘sweetspot’ being -10 to -11 degrees. Based on what we have produced, Inniskillin Icewine certainly contains that intense sweetness that can carry through in the wood to our whiskey.”
According to Walsh Whiskey, this whiskey has aromatics of peach & apricot over a unique Pot Still spice. In the mouth it apparently offers floral and nutty oak, with a fruity finish.
Stay tuned for Potstilled review coming soon.
This release see’s 3,500 bottles destined for the US, Canada, and Ireland, with an RRP of €70/$84.99USD/$99.95CAD.
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