Writer's Tears Pot Still Irish Whiskey 750ML

Writer's Tears Pot Still Irish Whiskey 750ML is a triple-distilled Irish whiskey bottled at 40% ABV that vats single pot still and single malt whiskeys without any grain spirit. An International Spirits Challenge Gold Medal winner, it also earned 93 points from Jim Murray and a category award for Blended Malt Whiskey at the World Whiskies Awards 2021 — recognition that underscores its standing among Ireland's most distinctive expressions.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40% (80 proof)  |  Origin: Ireland  |  No Age Statement  |  Blended & Bottled by Walsh Whiskey Distillery, Dublin

Production & Heritage

Writer's Tears is produced by Walsh Whiskey Distillery in Dublin. The liquid is a vatting of 60% single pot still whiskey and 40% single malt whiskey — both made entirely from barley, with no column-distilled grain whiskey in the blend. This all-barley composition is what separates it from conventional Irish blends, which typically rely on lighter grain spirit as a base. The pot still component uses a traditional mashbill of malted and unmalted barley, giving the whiskey its characteristic creamy, spicy weight. All components are triple distilled, non-peated, and matured in American oak ex-bourbon casks before vatting.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Green apple and fresh honey lead the nose, followed by vanilla and a distinctive pot still oiliness. A layer of granary toast and golden malt emerges as the whiskey opens up in the glass.

Taste: The entry is soft and sweet, with thick honey and butterscotch coating the palate. Mid-palate brings a lively burst of ginger spice alongside caramel and green apple skin, while toasted oak provides structure beneath the sweetness. The pot still barley character gives noticeable body and a creamy mouthfeel uncommon at 40% ABV.

Finish: Long and elegant, trailing off with milk chocolate and almond notes. A gentle warmth from the ginger spice lingers alongside subtle oak and a final wisp of vanilla.

How to Drink Writer's Tears

Neat at room temperature is the most rewarding serve — the triple distillation delivers enough smoothness that ice isn't necessary, though a few drops of water can amplify the honey and apple aromatics. Its versatility also makes it a strong cocktail base:

• Irish Coffee — the butterscotch sweetness and creamy body integrate beautifully with hot coffee and brown sugar.
• Gold Rush — honey syrup and lemon juice play directly into the whiskey's existing honey and apple character.
• Whiskey Sour — the pot still richness holds its ground against citrus without becoming thin or lost in the mix.

Best For

• Introducing someone to single pot still Irish whiskey without the higher price of age-stated bottlings
• An after-dinner dram alongside dessert or dark chocolate
• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who appreciates grain-free Irish blends
• Building an Irish whiskey collection that goes beyond standard blends

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Writer's Tears taste like? Writer's Tears delivers honey, butterscotch, and green apple with a distinctive ginger spice at mid-palate, finishing with milk chocolate and almond. The pot still component gives it a creamy, full-bodied texture uncommon in Irish whiskeys at this ABV.

How does Writer's Tears compare to Redbreast 12? Redbreast 12 is a pure single pot still whiskey aged for a minimum of 12 years, resulting in deeper sherry-influenced fruit and more pronounced spice at 40% ABV. Writer's Tears takes a different approach by vatting pot still with single malt and skipping grain entirely, producing a lighter, more honeyed profile at a lower price point.

Is Writer's Tears good for sipping neat? Yes — triple distillation and the absence of grain whiskey create a smooth, approachable dram that works well neat. The creamy pot still texture and balanced sweetness make it an easy sipper without needing ice or water.

Where is Writer's Tears made? Writer's Tears is blended and bottled by Walsh Whiskey Distillery in Dublin, Ireland. The component whiskeys are triple distilled and matured in American oak ex-bourbon casks before being vatted together.

What foods pair well with Writer's Tears? Smoked salmon benefits from the whiskey's honeyed sweetness cutting through the salt and fat. Apple tart mirrors the green apple notes already present in the spirit. Dark chocolate amplifies the milk chocolate finish. Aged cheddar plays off the toasted oak and butterscotch. Roasted almonds echo the nutty character on the finish.

What sizes does Writer's Tears come in? The standard expression is widely available in the 750ml bottle size reviewed here.

Is Writer's Tears worth the price? Writer's Tears positions as a mid-range Irish whiskey that punches above typical blends thanks to its grain-free composition. Its International Spirits Challenge Gold Medal and 93-point score from Jim Murray suggest strong value for a non-age-stated expression in this price tier.

Why Writer's Tears?

The defining characteristic of Writer's Tears is what it leaves out: grain whiskey. Where most Irish blends use column-distilled grain spirit to lighten body and reduce cost, this expression relies solely on single pot still and single malt whiskeys — both barley-based, both pot-distilled. That structural decision gives it a weight and creaminess that standard Irish blends rarely achieve. Recognition from the International Spirits Challenge, Jim Murray (93 points), and the World Whiskies Awards 2021 confirms that the approach delivers real quality, not just a marketing point of difference. For drinkers looking to explore the pot still tradition without committing to higher-priced age-stated single pot stills, Writer's Tears occupies a distinctive and well-earned position in the Irish whiskey landscape.