Writers' Tears Marsala Cask Finish
Writers' Tears · Walsh Whiskey Distillery
This Marsala Cask Finish demonstrates what a well-chosen cask can do when the base spirit already has structure. The pot still component provides enough backbone that the finishing cask flatters rather than masks. A distinctive Irish whiskey that rewards slow sipping.
Nose
Dried fruit and honey arrive together, backed by a distinctive floral rosewater character imparted by the Marsala casks. Beneath, there's toasted almond and a soft vanillin sweetness.
Palate
Creamy and medium-bodied. The pot still spice — clove and a hint of green pepper — cuts through layers of caramel and dried apricot. A subtle woody depth underpins the fruit without dominating.
Finish
Medium-long, with dried fruit lingering alongside a gentle earthy warmth. The Marsala influence fades gracefully into clean malt.
- Mash Bill
- Single pot still and single malt blend
- Distillation
- Triple distilled copper pot stills
- Maturation
- Aged in bourbon barrels, finished in Marsala wine casks
- Single Pot Still
- No
- Chill-Filtered
- Non-chill filtered
Cocktail Suggestion
Carlow Cobbler — 2 oz Writers' Tears Marsala Cask Finish · 0.75 oz fresh orange juice · 0.5 oz honey syrup · Shake with ice, strain into a rocks glass over crushed ice, garnish with a mint sprig and seasonal fruit.
Food Pairing
The whiskey's dried fruit and spice complement the richness of duck confit, while the Marsala cask influence harmonizes beautifully with a fig and balsamic compote.
Crafted at Walsh Whiskey's Royal Oak distillery in County Carlow, this expression marries their signature pot still and single malt blend with a finish in Sicilian Marsala wine casks, adding a Mediterranean layer to a thoroughly Irish foundation.
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