Writers' Tears Red Head

Following a significant tasting and subsequent purchases of Spot whiskey, I've become interested in exploring other Irish Whiskies. In the past, I hadn't given them a proper chance, but after sampling the entire Spot range, I've decided to seek out other excellent Irish options. A friend recently visited Ireland and highly praised this bottle: Writers' Tears Red Head. They mentioned it was quite difficult to find locally, and I was fortunate to acquire two bottles relatively close by – one for them, and one for myself. Generally, I avoid spirits with heavy sherry, port, or wine cask influences. I don't believe whiskey should assault the palate with intense red fruit flavors. However, my friend is an ardent supporter of this spirit, and at $65 a bottle, the price isn't prohibitive. The aroma is indeed fruity, but surprisingly, it doesn't overwhelm with red fruit. It offers notes of flambéed orange peel, sweet nutty pralines, and a hint of freshly cut grass. Quite intriguing. The taste definitely shows a significant sherry influence, but it's not excessive. This whiskey has a rather oily mouthfeel, which was unexpected and a pleasant surprise. There's a touch of fruitcake at the beginning of the taste, but it lacks the mustiness often associated with those dried fruit confectioneries. The palate transitions to a drier profile mid-taste, introducing notes of leather and a hint of orange pith. The medium-length finish doesn't drastically alter the flavor profile from the palate, making its beginning indistinct. The leather note persists, underlying a flavor reminiscent of cinnamon red hots candy. It's good, but not exceptional. This is certainly superior to most Irish Whiskies I've sampled and ranks alongside most offerings from Redbreast. However, I still firmly believe that Spot whiskies are a notch above.

This smells like Redbreast 12, not bold but understated and opulent. It first offers dried fruit and sherry within a creamy context. A faint touch of ethanol with a metallic edge appears if you pay attention. The taste is substantial and highlights grain, shifting between nutty notes and malted barley. Impressive viscosity in the glass, matched by a superb texture. The aftertaste endures, bringing warmth and spice to the malt, somewhat like a rye, extending the enjoyment of the drink. An excellent example of a sherry-finished Irish whiskey that doesn't break the bank. Incidentally, as I'm enjoying this outside, some fruit flies have plunged right into it, so it's not just me who finds it appealing.

This young whisky has a sharpness balanced by a mild sweetness. It carries notes of cherry, plum, and currant. The aroma and taste are dominated by grain. I'd suggest this whisky to someone seeking an alternative Irish style without spending a lot of money. I'm curious about the future of this new distillery.

Reddish hue as expected. Very mellow and slightly fruity aroma. The taste is quite balanced, not complex, but tasty. A pleasant, smooth whiskey without sharp edges.

Incredible aroma. The sherry sweetness pairs beautifully with the heat and sharpness. It's very reminiscent of bourbon, which explains my preference for it over copper pot stills. Satisfying depth.

More potent and less smooth than the Writers Tears Cask Strength, yet it possesses a richness and complexity while retaining the distinctive, one-of-a-kind flavor of Writers Tears.