Writers Tears Red Head

19th and early 20th century Ireland was a golden era both for Irish whiskey and, perhaps coincidentally, for great Irish novelists, poets and playwrights. Ireland was then the leading whiskey producing nation in the world and the birthplace of literary giants, including writers such as George Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde, W.B. Yeats, Lady Gregory, James Joyce, Samuel Beckett and Bram Stoker, to name but a few.

Bernard and Rosemary Walsh created the Hot Irishman Limited in 1999, with the desire to blend and bottle the perfect Irish Coffee recipe. Expanding upon its success, in 2005 the couple attempted to rival the big Irish cream liqueur brands by creating a recipe that brought things back to basics, with The Irishman Irish Cream liqueur, made using 100% Irish dairy cream and premium Irish whiskey.

However, it wasn’t until 2006 that the Walsh’s began to venture head-on into the world of whisky, when they signed a long-term supply agreement with Irish Distillers – the Whiskey Supply Agreement - allowing for the distilling and laying down of Irish whiskey stock to its specifications. This facilitated the 2007 launch of The Irishman Whiskey, the first singular whiskey released by Walsh, which was followed in 2009 by Writers Tears.

Red Head

This exquisite, triple-distilled single malt is matured only in select handpicked Spanish sherry butts, which have previously been seasoned with the finest Oloroso sherry. It is the influence of these exceptional butts that give this expression of Writers’ Tears its signature rich, ruby hue and hence the moniker – ‘Red Head’. The expression is distilled without chill filtering as nature intended and at a distinctive 46% ABV.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Candied orange peel, chocolate covered marzipan, sherried dried fruit, and praline and tropical fruit.

Palate: An oily nuttiness, with fruity Christmas cake, tangy pineapple, liquorice and melted milk chocolate.

Finish: Rich walnut with oak and baking spice lingering.