Writers' Tears Copper Pot Japanese Mizunara Cask Finish

As promised (for anyone keeping track), I revisited the Writers'Tears Mizunara Cask side-by-side with the Chivas Regal Mizunara. My initial suspicions were confirmed: comparable whiskies but the Chivas Regal is a $50 bottle while the Writers' Tears was $100. First, I will say that the Writers' Tears is better today than I remember from yesterday, for whatever reason. I do notice more fruity floral qualities with a woodsy smokiness on the end (maybe there is some sandalwood incense after all? 😅). As I noted previously, there's still a harsh quality to this that makes it somewhat unpleasant. I also noticed a cinnamon-esque bite at the end in the finish - but it's an artificial cinnamon in a cinnamon candy kind of way. By comparison, the nose is more mossy and less pleasant on the Chivas - but the mouthfeel and flavor are noticeably better. My wife did this side-by-side with me tonight, and she agrees. The Chivas drinks softer and sweeter. I get a honey quality (mirin maybe?) as well as nuttiness. There's also a slight ocean quality to this that helps round the whole thing out. Honestly, I like this (the Chivas) a lot more than I remember liking it in the past.

I have been waiting a long time to get my hands on this bottle and... It's fine. Not worth $99. I'm going to revisit at a later date after the bottle has a chance to open up (and I want to try it side by side with the Chivas Regal Mizunara, which was considerably cheaper), but I did want to highlight one thing... Tasting notes from the box: "Flashes of green fruits, apple and pear, hints of vanilla and clove over a distinctive pot still base give way to the exotic oriental notes of sandalwood, coconut, spice and Japanese incense." ... What a crock of shit! 🤣 "Exotic oriental notes? Japanese Incense?" Yeah, okay 🙄 Someone in marketing was really reaching on this one

Exactly what expected: some extra added to the normal Writers' Tears bringing bit more complexity. Nose: sandalwood.spiky. warming spices, sweet. Melone. Citrus. Palate: soft, biscuity/grainy first. Sweet. Juicy in mid palate then pungent. Finish: intense for a short time then, woody, a little bit drying. Ginger. Sweet. Dryness and sweetness remain longer. Water adds vanilla on nose, softens palate a bit. Ginger remains longer on finish.

The range of flavours from sip to sip or from neat to having a cube or adding water is unending. A great sipping liquid that is fun to drink with its containing flavour changes. Either way no one can call this liquid bland.

Tingles the tongue and lips but doesn't burn the lungs. It's sweet but not overly. Hints of apples. I'd still call it mild. Very tasty.

Lavender, moss, citrus