Writer's Tears Irish Whiskey is bottled by Walsh Whiskey Distillery. It began with Bernard and Rosemary Walsh forming Hot Irishman Limited in 1999 to create an Irish Coffee brand. Then in 2005 they got into making Irish Cream followed by signing a long-term agreement of distilling and aging whiskey to their specifications. The Irishman whiskey was released by the company in 2007 and Writer's Tears expression was launched in 2009. Writer's Tears is a combination of 40% single malt (100% malted barley mash bill from single distillery) and 60% single pot still whiskeys (mix of malted and unmalted barley mash bill from single distillery). Walsh Whiskey partnered with Illva Saronno, the company behind Disaronno Italian liqueur, to break ground on new distillery construction in 2014 at Royal Oak in Ireland. That partnership and Walsh Whiskey Distillery involvement with Red Oaks distillery dissolved in 2019 due to disagreement on future development plans for the combined business. Walsh Whiskey retained ownership of their brands and Illva Saronno kept theirs as well as full control of the Royal Oak Distillery and the two companies parted ways. Writer's Tears is aged in American Oak ex-bourbon barrels. On the nose you get fresh crisp apples, vanilla, honey, and citrus zest. On the palate some simple syrup sweetness that's quickly replaced by bright apple flavors, followed by herbal and grassy bitterness. The finish has some charred oak, wood, floral notes, and black pepper spice. This is a bright Irish whiskey, with crisp flavors that are nicely layered. The absence of grain whiskey in the blend means the sweetness is subtle and not overpowering. At the current price of $47, it is a bit pricey for what you get but it's enjoyable enough that you won't hate yourself for paying it.