Walsh Whiskey has unveiled Writers’ Tears Ice wine Cask Finish. Produced in collaboration with Inniskillin Winery in Niagara, Ontario, Canada, the new expression is the first Irish Whiskey to be finished in icewine casks.
Writers’ Tears Icewine Cask Finish s a triple-distilled vatting of Single Pot Still & Single Malt whiskies finished for an additional 12 months in icewine hogsheads.
“I first tasted icewine in 2011, so plans for this expression have been fermenting in my head for some time,” says Walsh Whiskey Managing Director Bernard Walsh. “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.
“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 ‘sweet spot 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.”
On the nose, the whiskey offers aromas of peach and apricot over a unique Pot Still spice. The palate is floral blossom and nutty oak. The finish features a fruit compote of mango and lychee.
Bottled at 46% ABV, just 3,500 bottles of Writers’ Tears Icewine Cask Finish will be released in Canada, the US, and Ireland, retailing for CAN$99.95/US$84.99/€70.
