Writer's Tears is a blend of pot still and malt whisky from the emerald isle. It's available world wide, as far as I can tell, and is priced fairly competitively here in the UK (around £30). This is my second bottle of Writer's Tears and had I been reviewing the last bottle I had the following would have a markedly different tone. Let's find out why . . .
This bottle has been open two months or so, almost half gone and has been decanted twice. Pour here is neat but sat around 15 minutes.
Nose: Lovely. Unmistakable pot still character of dusty copper notes, creamy vanilla and green apple, with a hint of cardamom and a little cinnamon. A little fudgy toffee as well (it's taken some time to get to here though it must be said)
Taste: Wait a minute. No, wait. Wait . . . no, it's just not there! Seriously, even now after over two months air exposure and decanting all I'm getting is a little alcohol (less than there was initially), some tart apple and a wee hint of the pot still base. Thin mouthfeel.
Finish: Some slight cinnamon and tannins. Vanilla? Short.
As you can probably tell, this whiskey hasn't impressed. I've been super patient and even handed with it - even willing and encouraging it to blossom but, alas, this one is simply a bit below par. I will say it has got better with time and air, but not hugely; however, given the price it's not that big of a gut punch. I think what hurts the most is that the last bottle was really good and I'd have recommended it to anyone. This one will now serve as my 'whistle whetter' in the place of a standard blend (or get blended itself). Shame, could just be a bad bottle, who knows?
@RianC It's such a letdown when the first bottle was a delight and this one is mediocre. I enjoy Writer's Tears, but I too admit I've had less than stellar bottles in the past. First one was great, second was OK but nothing to write home about, and the third is back to pretty good -- mind you, not as good as that first bottle, but it's definitely better than the second one I had bought. Even though I'd love to have that consistency and know what I'm getting in each and every bottle, I know I can't - and for a less than $40 USD (or £30), I'll take that chance because I have hopes I'll open up a bottle of Writer's Tears and find it to be as amazing as when I first had it/bottle #1. It may be of no consolation, but I do find that WT is a good mixer if you're needing to make a cocktail.
@Victor - My pleasure, as ever!
You make some very good points and I'd agree 100%. This isn't terrible by any means but just underwhelming. I think you nail it for me when you say one of your experiences was "Is that all there is?". I reckon I'd have give the other bottle 87-88.
I've just spat out a fly from my last sip as I typed that so someone, at least, likes it . . . a lot