As the whiskey festival season approaches, a wave of new releases unfurls, creating excitement. The sheer variety can be somewhat overwhelming, providing enthusiasts like us with various choices to explore. This period serves as a golden opportunity for distilleries to elevate their craft, unveil their latest creations and solidify their reputation by introducing some epic spirits. Prior to Belfast Whiskey Week, Two Stacks unveiled the much-anticipated Polaris 1.3, while Dunville’s graced us with a distinguished 20-year-old PX release. Additionally, Shortcross captured the spotlight by introducing an intriguing Malt and Pot Still release that certainly captured everyone’s attention.

This is not an entirely novel concept. Writer’s Tears Irish Whiskey also has its ‘Copper Pot’ iteration, a blend that marries Pot Still and Malt whiskey. While this technique isn’t entirely unprecedented, it remains relatively uncommon. The rationale behind its limited prevalence is somewhat ambiguous; my best guess would be that distillers may prefer to preserve the unique character of specific whiskey styles. Undoubtedly, pot still whiskey and single malt whiskey represent two markedly distinct styles. Nevertheless, as previously alluded to in the WOL, the landscape of whiskey production is evolving, compelling distillers to embrace innovation and incorporate novel approaches. This might lead to the emergence of ‘hybrid’ mash bills that amalgamate two renowned and distinctive styles, giving rise to an entirely unprecedented concoction.

Therefore, these type of releases stands as an intriguing point of contention; it’s the right balance of experimental and innovative. It presents an enticing marriage: a lively pot still mash bill combined with the grace of a refined malt. Everything on paper leads to this being quite an interesting, and certainly intriguing, mash bill, which holds the promise of a unique palette of flavours making it a brave, yet uncertain choice. Hence, for Dave and Fiona of Shortcross to embark on this release reflects a truly bold spirit and fair play to them. However, ‘hybrid’ mash bills are nothing new for Dave and Fiona, their Rye and Malt release (which I reviewed here) certainly struck me as an innovative, well-thought-out, and considered release, which now sits as a core bottling, and at cask strength.

Regarding the mash bill ratios, it appears that Writer’s Tears adopts a pot still to malt ratio of approximately 70/30, while Shortcross follows a rough pot still to malt split of 25/75. This variance sets the stage for a decent comparative analysis. What adds a layer of intrigue is that Shortcross undergoes double distillation, in contrast to the triple distillation process of Writer’s Tears. Furthermore, Shortcross exclusively matures its spirit in ex-Heaven Hill bourbon barrels for a minimum of five years, whereas Writer’s Tears, a Non-Age Statement variant, matures in ‘Flame Charred American Oak bourbon casks’. These distinctive maturation approaches promise an intriguing review…

It’s also worth visiting Shortcross’ webpage where they ‘deconstruct’ their whiskey to give a full and transparent lowdown on its make-up; a big tick from us at the WOL and well worth a look.

Shortcross Belfast Whiskey Week Distillery Exclusive Pot Still & Malt Double Distilled Irish Whiskey

ABV: 46%

Price: a very reasonable £55 (available on their own website)

Nose: The prominent pot still characteristics take the lead, offering a distinct spiciness alongside notes of boozy raisins, sultanas, and a touch of chilli honey. There’s also a beautiful undertone of granny smith apples. Meanwhile, the bourbon maturation adds a layer of indulgence, introducing a velvety caramel essence combined with a delicate butterscotch infusion.

Palate: The maltiness emerges gracefully, setting itself apart with a texture that’s exceptionally velvety, reminiscent of milk chocolate and the buttery smoothness of Werther’s Originals. This opulent creaminess intertwines seamlessly with a continuous cereal undertone, adding some needed depth. Amidst this, the enduring pot still mash makes its presence felt, contributing a robust burst of spiciness reminiscent of cinnamon and clove, all while offering a generous spoonful of festive Christmas cake-like flavours.

Finish: Delightful notes of honey-nut loop cereal, accompanied by a comforting embrace of ginger warmth. These invigorating elements belie any notion of this being non-cask strength, leaving a lasting impression of depth and intensity.

Score: 8/10

Writer’s Tears Copper Pot Irish Whiskey

ABV: 40%

Price: Another very reasonable price at £34.99 (available on Master of Malt)

Nose: It opens with a delightful burst of freshness and lightness, reminiscent of green apples, zesty lemons, and the nostalgic sweetness of foam banana sweets. There’s Manuka honey present which infuses an added layer of sweetness, while a subtle hint of cinnamon spices up the aroma. In the background, a subtle touch of flat Lilt adds a unique and intriguing dimension to it.

Palate: A sip unveils delightful notes of caramelized toffee apples, generously coated in honey. This time, a touch more spice emerges, with the enticing presence of ginger snaps and the comforting warmth of cinnamon lozenges taking centre stage.

Finish: While the finish may be short, it reveals delightful hints of vanilla and honey, leaving a lingering sweetness on the palate. There’s also a whisper of aniseed, adding a subtle and intriguing twist.

Score: 6/10

Summary

When I first tried the Shortcross distillery exclusive, I was chatting with Dave via Instagram. His remark characterised the release as nothing short of “fun.” However, with all due respect, I find myself diverging from this assessment. In my view, Dave’s portrayal significantly understates the significance of this release—it’s a genuine coup to the pot still landscape. The remarkable fusion of pot still and malt, showcased in its exceptional quality and remarkably accessible price point, stands as a profound achievement for both Dave and Fiona.

The whiskey itself is nothing short of excellent. The nose and the palate showcase both parts of the mash, and they’re so distinctive. The notes are so easy to pick out and enjoy, and they both balance harmoniously to produce something that is truly special, whilst the ABV is probably spot on for this, a cask strength version would certainly put the cat amongst the pigeons.

The Writer’s Tears was certainly enjoyable, but when compared to the Shortcross, I encountered a bit more challenge in discerning its various elements which could be attributed to its triple distillation process. Nonetheless, it’s fascinating to note how different mash bills can significantly impact the overall flavour and profile of a whiskey. While the whiskey was pleasant, it did leave me wanting a touch more in the finish, and this slight deficiency potentially kept it from scoring even higher.