Writer's Tears Dick Mack’s Seaweed IPA Cask 56.3%
From Dick Mack’s Website
The second in a series of collaborative experiments between Walsh Whiskey and Dick Mack’s Brewhouse in Dingle. A truly exceptional creation, bringing together the taste of the wild Atlantic Ocean and the flavours of old Irish whiskey recipes, this is an unforgettable journey across the rugged Irish terrain from past to present.
Outstanding fresh seaweed harvested on Ballybunion beach, Kerry gives a full bodied flavour to Dick Mack’s Tóg Bog É seasonal IPA. The perfect cask in which to finish our award winning Writers Tears Copper Pot for an additional 14 months.
On Saint Valentine’s Day 2019 the barrel was filled with the award-winning Writers’ Tears – Copper Pot, triple-distilled, premium blend of Single Pot Still and Single Malt whiskeys and laid down for 14 months to finish. It was bottled naturally, non-chill filtered, at high strength.
The single cask (numbered ‘Batch 56’) has now yielded 306, individually numbered, bottles of Cask Strength (56.3%) super-premium whiskey.
Flavours of autumnal bramble apple, wrapped in a fragrant butterscotch, open up to salted fruit syrup and liquorice on the palate. A creamy mouthfeel ascends, as though on the crest of a wave, lapping up gently with a dry earthiness.
In the words of Dick Mack’s: Tóg Bog É – Take It Easy.
Tasting notes:
Appearance: Deep honey-gold, viscous, forms a thin line which eventually beads before falling as thin, slow legs.
Nose: Slightly maritime, overripe cider apples, citrus fruit, butter toffee.
Palate: Liquorice appears quickly, followed by apple strudel and butterscotch sauce, a little saltiness in the background.
Finish: The unmistakeable flavour of a hoppy IPA note suddenly appears and lingers on the tongue for a while.
Summary: This is a whiskey which really makes me want to visit Dick Mack’s pub in Dingle. It’s full of character and just shows what an IPA cask can add when it’s done properly. The mouthfeel is rich and creamy, and the deliciously hoppy IPA finish was a really nice surprise. It drinks far easier than the 56.3% abv might suggest, but add a few drops of water and the IPA note comes through a little earlier whilst sending the creaminess into overdrive.
With a recommended retail price of €82 it’s decent value too, the limited availability may be the only downside to this whiskey.
If you would like more information on Writer's Tears whiskey, or Walsh Whiskey, follow the link to the company website.
This sample was part of a 4 dram tasting selection from the current Writer’s Tears range as part of a #TweetTasting session organised by @TheWhiskyWire and Walsh Whiskey.
Transparency: this sample pack was received free of charge for independent review. The author has no affiliation with the distillery, all opinions are my own and remain completely impartial.
