Walsh Whiskey have been on the release trail this year with a number of different core expression variations, annual additions and travel retail exclusives, and they show no signs of stopping now.
This week we saw Walsh Whiskey release an Aer Rianta International (ARI) travel retail exclusive, to coincide with the Rugby World Cup kicking off in Japan this month.
Writers Tears Copper Pot Japanese Cask Finish is the propitiatory single malt and single pot still blend, that Writers Tears is famous for, that were initially aged in ex-bourbon barrels before being finished for 9 months in two Japanese Mizunara Casks (Japanese species of Oak).
Mizunara is an extremely rare species of oak, on this side of the world, and it is rarely used to age whiskey outside of the land of the Rising Sun. Furthermore, Mizunara is both immensely expensive due to its slow growth and famously difficult to work with and its wide grain makes for incredibly porous and leak-prone casks. So much so, a special resin is usually sold with the casks to coat the outsides of the barrels to reduce risk of leakage. A unique solution to a unique problem.
Thankfully, with all of the heartache that Mizunara casks can bring producers, the results can be absolutely stunning. This particular species of oak has delicious characteristics of sandalwood, coconut, spice and even Japanese incense.
Walsh Whiskey are one of only a couple of Irish producers who have risen to the mantle of working with Mizunara casks but they have certainly chosen their release dates fantastically. Check out Glendalough’s 13 Year Old Mizunara Cask here.
Bernard Walsh, co-founder of Walsh Whiskey, has released this Japanese Oak edition of Writers Tears in time for the Rugby World Cup in Japan. This limited edition expression is a Travel Retail exclusive which can only be found in the The Irish Whiskey Collection in both Dublin and Cork airports.
It has an ABV of 55% (110 Proof) and a retail price of €100 Duty Paid and €84 Duty Free per bottle and is now available, while stocks last.
Official Tasting Notes from Walsh Whiskey
Writers’ Tears Copper Pot Japanese Cask Finish:
Nose – Flashes of green fruit with hints of vanilla and clove.
Taste – distinctive pot still base with exotic oriental notes of sandalwood, coconut spice and Japanese incense.
Finish – a truly special trip around the orient.
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