Writers’ Tears Copper Pot Review

Writers’ Tears Copper Pot is the Irish whiskey that comes with its own literary excuse for being expensive. This Writers’ Tears Copper Pot review is about a blend of single pot still and single malt that is light, fruity and honeyed, with a bottle that looks like it belongs on a Dublin bookshelf. The Caskable score is 78 out of 100, and it is a very pleasant, slightly overpriced drink.

I have a soft spot for it, partly because of the name and partly because it tastes a lot like what Irish whiskey is supposed to taste like when people are being romantic about it.

What is Writers’ Tears Copper Pot?

Writers’ Tears is a brand from the Walsh Whiskey Distillery, which was set up by Bernard and Rosemary Walsh and opened its own distillery at Royal Oak in County Carlow. The name is an affectionate nod to the idea that Ireland’s great writers drank a lot of whiskey, and sometimes cried a lot, and the two things were related. It is a cheeky bit of branding, and it has worked. My beginner’s guide to Irish whiskey covers the wider category.

The Copper Pot is a blend of single pot still and single malt whiskeys, bottled at 40%. The pot still gives spice and weight, the malt gives fruit and polish, and the combination is meant to show off both. It is matured in ex-bourbon and some sherry casks. The “copper pot” refers to the stills used to make the whiskey. My pot stills vs column stills guide explains why that matters.

Because the Walsh distillery is relatively young, some of the whiskey has been sourced from other Irish distilleries, as is common for new brands. That is normal practice, but it is worth knowing if you care about where your whiskey came from.

Writers’ Tears Copper Pot tasting notes

The nose is apple, honey, vanilla, ginger and butterscotch, with a gently spiced flavour, then honey and marmalade over fruity barley. It is light, sweet, honeyed and fruity, an inviting nose that smells like a fruit tart.

I get milk chocolate, orange liqueur, vanilla and almond, then clove, mild cinnamon, cereal grains and malt, with hints of burnt straw and oak. That last pair is the interesting bit: there is a faint earthiness behind the sweetness.

The palate is soft, honeyed and fruity, with ginger and light spice. The pot still adds a little creaminess. The finish is medium and gently spicy, with malt and oak. It is not a complex whiskey, but it is a well-balanced one, and it flatters the drinker.

The 78 reflects a pleasant, polished and gentle whiskey. It is a point or two above the supermarket blends and a few below the best pot stills. That feels about right.

How to drink Writers’ Tears Copper Pot

Neat, with a few drops of water, in a tulip glass. It is gentle enough to sip happily, and it sits well at room temperature. A single large cube is fine on a warm day.

It makes a good Irish Coffee, though the delicate flavours are a little wasted. An Old Fashioned with orange peel brings out the marmalade notes, and a Whiskey Sour is light and bright. It is a whiskey for the sort of evening where you have a book, a chair and a sense of fondness for the world.

What to know before you buy Writers’ Tears Copper Pot

There are other Writers’ Tears bottlings, including a Red Head single malt, a cask strength and several limited editions. The Copper Pot is the entry point and the most widely available. The strength is 40%, with no age statement.

It goes well with shortbread, apple crumble, soft cheese and light fruit tarts. It also works with seafood. It is a gentle companion, and it will not overpower a delicate dish.

A bottle that sells a story

Brands built on a story always raise the same question: is the liquid doing the work, or is the label? With Writers’ Tears, the honest answer is both. The whiskey is a perfectly good light Irish blend, and the literary theme gives it a charm that its competitors lack. People buy it as a gift because it says something about the person receiving it, and that is a sound commercial instinct.

I do not mind that at all. Whiskey has always been about stories, and the best ones tend to be a little exaggerated. What matters is that the drink in the glass does not disappoint, and in this case it does not. It is light, sweet and polite, and it lets the story do the talking.

Is Writers’ Tears Copper Pot worth the money?

At about £39 for 70 cl it is a little pricey. Expect to pay about £28 for Jameson Black Barrel, which scores 83. Bushmills Black Bush comes in at roughly £28 and scores 78. Green Spot is about £46 and scores 80.

Black Bush costs £11 less and scores the same. Black Barrel costs £11 less and scores five points higher. The Writers’ Tears is a fine whiskey, but you are paying for the packaging and the story. Check the price before buying.

Alternatives to Writers’ Tears Copper Pot

Here is where I would go from Writers’ Tears Copper Pot, depending on whether you want more flavour, less money or a different style altogether.

Who should buy Writers’ Tears Copper Pot?

Readers, gift buyers, and anyone who likes a light, fruity Irish whiskey with a nice bottle. It is a lovely present for someone who loves books. If you are buying on value alone, look at the alternatives.

Writers’ Tears Copper Pot review verdict

A light, honeyed, fruity pot still and malt blend with a literary air and a slightly literary price. Caskable score: 78 out of 100.