Writer's Tears Inniskillin Icewine Cask

From the distillers website

This is a first for Irish whiskey with the creation of an Icewine finished whiskey. Writers’ Tears – Icewine Cask Finish has been produced in collaboration with the Inniskillin Winery in Niagara, Ontario, Canada’s original estate winery and leading producer of icewine.

This limited-edition release is a unique triple-distilled vatting of Single Pot Still & Single Malt whiskeys, has been finished for an additional 12 months in icewine hogsheads, before being bottled at 46% ABV.

Nose: Peach & apricot over a unique Pot Still spice.

Taste: Floral blossom and nutty oak.

Finish: A fruit compote of mango and lychee.

Tasting notes:

Appearance: Deep honey-gold, viscous, forms a thin line which eventually beads before falling as thin, slow legs. 

Nose: Floral rose petal notes, stone fruit in abundance, peaches, apricots and nectarines, and a hint of mango, coconut, ginger spice and a little cooling menthol.

Palate: Floral apple blossom almost immediately gives way to caramel, vanilla, lemon zest and ginger spice. Water brings out more of the spice at the expense of the other notes.

Finish: Lingering citrus and caramel notes gradually giving way to a return of that soft hint of menthol.

Summary: This is another really interesting whiskey from the Writer's Tears range, and another great example of cask finishing done well. It's quite a sweet whiskey, with distinct floral notes that give this somewhat of a summery feel, and the delicate hint of menthol adds another dimension. Unlike the other whiskies in this tasting session I didn't find the addition of a little water opened it up, instead the more delicate flavours were lost behind a more pronounced spiciness.

Another very enjoyable whiskey, and one I could happily spend time exploring further. Current RRP on this one weighs in at €70, which I think is probably a fair price for a whiskey of this quality. 

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.