As well as four large measure drams, Walsh included a handy carry bag and two fridge magnets, other received some Walsh Dark Chocolate but I think the postman ate mine...!
First up was the Writers' Tears Copper Pot (40% ABV – Blended Irish Whiskey)
Walsh's thoughts: A blend of single malt and single pot still whiskeys; 60% malt & 40% pot still. Nose: Flashes of apple with hints of vanilla and honey over a distinctively pot still base. Palate: Gently spiced with a burst of ginger and butterscotch with background notes of toasted oak. Finish: Long Elegant finish with subtle notes of milk chocolate and almonds.
My thoughts: Pale gold in colour, swirls leave thin legs, initial nose orchard fruit.
Nose: Lovely stewed apples and pears, sweet honey and a kick on cinnamon or ginger. Has a lovely balance of that spicy sweetness I associate with Irish Whiskey - yummy!
Palate: Creamy on the palate - Apple Pie dusted in icing sugar smothered in Custard. interesting dryness in there!
Finish: Fairly short - sweet honey and a lovely ginger spice - Yummy!
Other tweeter's thoughts:
Next was the Irishman Single Malt (Matured in a combination of bourbon barrels and Oloroso sherry butts)
Walsh's thoughts: Nose: Ripe and fruity with luscious peach, dried apricot, and tropical fruits. Hints of orange blossom and vanilla fudge. Palate: Vanilla sweetness, granola, toasted almonds and honey, a little oak, digestive biscuits, apricots, and a hint of coca. Finish: Long lingering finish with a light maltiness and sweet oak. Not so much a finish, more of an encore.
My thoughts: Another pale gold dram with swirls leaving fast running legs. Initial nose warm banana bread!
Nose: Warm banana bread dominates but there is a tropical note there too - pineapple and mango?
Palate: Sweet honey with a nutty note - hazelnuts ? Plenty of the banana, pineapple and mango on the tongue too! A ginger spice note builds up - yummy!
Finish: Lovely digestive biscuit drying note - a hint of the icing sugar from the nose - lots of honey and a little spice - lovely dram!
Other tweeter's thoughts:
Third of the evening was the Irishman Founder's Reserve Caribbean Cask Finish (46% ABV – Irish Blended Whiskey - 70% Single Malt and 30% Single Pot Still)
Walsh's thoughts: Nose: Exotic Rum, apricots and summer fruits.Palate: Avalanche of tropical fruits and vibrant spices. Finish: Fig, banana and oak spices intermingle in a spectacular Caribbean twist.
My thoughts: Slightly darker gold than those before, swirls leave a lovely crown in the glass. Initial nose warm brown sugar!
Nose: Lovely warmed brown sugar ready to melt into toffee. there's more of the tropical fruit I'm beginning to associate with the Irishman brand - mango, pineapple etc but also shares some of the orchard fruits from it's Writer's Tears siblings.
Palate: The cask has had a huge influence here - tropical fruit, rum and some dark chocolate notes. There's some oaky spice along with fresh grated ginger. Really enjoying this one!
Finish: Tropical fruit with a lovely ginger spice note!
Other tweeter's thoughts:
Final dram of the evening was the rather special Writers' Tears Cask Strength 2018 (53% ABV – Blended Irish Whiskey)
Walsh's thoughts: Nose: Dark chocolate, rich blackberries, summerfruits and sweet barley. Taste: Hints of butterscotch allude to complex tones of rich toasted wood, giving way to creamy oak and single pot still spice. Finish: A bold and intense finish.
My thoughts: Lovely gravity defying swirls and an initial nose of toffee apples.
Nose: Apples, pears, toffee and a sweetness of honey and lemon. There's some chocolate in here too - a lovely complex dram. Not getting any hints of the high ABV - maybe it's saving it for the palate?
Palate: A lovely creamy arrival with nuts, wood and biscuit quickly overtaken with honey and dark chocolate. There's some sour cherries in here too. Lovely complex dram but still not really getting the 53% - hides it well!
Finish: Long spicy pepper notes with hints of that dark chocolate and sour cherries - yummy!
Other tweeter's thoughts:
Many thanks to @TheWhiskyWire for organising, @WalshWhiskey for the drams and my fellow tweeters for making it a great evening!
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