Another rather unique expression, definitely a cut above the standard Writers Tears expressions available. A touch overtly hoppy in places which I certainly enjoyed but really shines in the finish. 84/100
Writers Tears Seaweed IPA Cask
Writers Tears Japanese Cask
Not as favoured as the sweeter Icewine cask, this had a slighty more savoury and dare I say Umami feel about it following the Mizunara oak finish. More elegant in presentation and worthwhile spending longer with this one, this is a sip and savour dram, especially when you consider the unusual and rare nature of its construction. 84/100
Writers Tears Inniskillen Icewine Cask
more floral, fruity and fragrant expression and some great herbal influences in here too. Stone fruits play the lead here with some tropical nature later. 85/100
Writers Tears Single Pot Still
A more complex expression thanks both to the use of only triple-distilled single pot still style whisky and the cask maturation combination. More developed flavours are presented from the PX and Marsala casks. 83/100
Samuel Gelston’s Blended Irish Whiskey
A fairly basic and very pleasant blended Irish whiskey. There are hints of youth and some solventy spirit nature, triple distilled for smoothness and bourbon matured there’s not much to hide behind and this does develop some interesting & more complex flavours. 77/100
Hinch Craft & Casks Imperial Stout Finish
My favourite from the tasting. The Imperial Stout casks have generated not only chocolate and coffee notes but also fruit and some herbal notes too. 84/100
Hinch Craft & Casks Rye Export Stout Finish
Another interesting and very different beer-cask finish from Hinch. The Rye Export Stout has imbued some earthy dark chocolate and coffee notes. 82/100
Hinch Craft & Casks Irish Red Rye Finish
Another interesting and very different beer-cask finish from Hinch. The Red Rye casks introduce some zesty and spicy elements but also highlight plenty of cereal nature of the base blend. 83/100
Hinch New Make Spirit
Plenty of character and a well structured new make. A promising base spirit for experimenting with maturation and beer cask finishing.
Irish Single Malt #2 15 Years Old Batch 6
Sweet and clean, creamy and with plenty of fruit suggestive of mostly spirit and ex-Bourbon maturation keeping things fairly straightforward and enjoyingly simple. A touch odd in the finish – perhaps indicative of the distillate source? 85/100
The Whiskyphiles 