Writers’ Tears Cask Strength Irish Whiskey (2023) vs Proper Twelve Irish Apple: Which Irish Should You Buy? arrives with the quiet confidence of a spirit that knows its own worth.
Choosing between Writers’ Tears Cask Strength Irish Whiskey (2023) and Proper Twelve Irish Apple can be tough, especially when they compete in the same space. In this head-to-head comparison, we taste them side by side and score every dimension so you don't have to guess.
Whether you're stocking your home bar or picking a gift, this breakdown will point you to the right bottle.
Specifications at a Glance
| Writers’ Tears Cask Strength Irish Whiskey (2023) | Proper Twelve Irish Apple | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | N/A | N/A |
| Type | Irish | Irish |
| Age | N/A | N/A |
| ABV | 54.8% ABV) | 35% ABV, blend of single malt and grain whiskies, |
| Price | $160.00 | N/A |
| Rating | 8/10 | 5/10 |
Nose
Writers’ Tears Cask Strength Irish Whiskey (2023): Fresh cut grass and subtle chocolate rise first. Butterscotch shines through while playing with some nutmeg.
Proper Twelve Irish Apple: Candied green apple (if anyone remembers those caramel apple lollipops, its very similar to that) overwhelms the bouquet. A touch of under ripe pear weaves through.
Both whiskeys present distinct aromatic profiles. The differences on the nose already hint at the divergent tasting experiences to come.
Palate
Writers’ Tears Cask Strength Irish Whiskey (2023): No age statement. A blend of Single Pot Still and Single Malt Whiskey, non-chill filtered and aged in American Oak Bourbon barrels
Proper Twelve Irish Apple: Not as sweet as the nose, but again, overwhelmingly tastes of candied apple. The same pear not comes in just at the beginning on the sip. Lightly sweet all of the way through, the very back palate has a bit more malty weight, with a brown sugar sweetness to it.
On the palate, the character of each whiskey really comes to life. This is where personal preference plays the biggest role.
Finish
Writers’ Tears Cask Strength Irish Whiskey (2023): Comments: No age statement. A blend of Single Pot Still and Single Malt Whiskey, non-chill filtered and aged in American Oak Bourbon barrels
Proper Twelve Irish Apple: The finish is fairly decent, with more of the brown sugar coming through.
The finish can make or break a whiskey. A long, satisfying finish keeps you coming back for another sip.
Value for Money
Pricing varies by market, so check your local retailer for current rates on both bottles.
With both bottles in a comparable price range, the decision comes down to flavour preference rather than wallet size.
The Verdict
In this matchup, Writers’ Tears Cask Strength Irish Whiskey (2023) takes the crown with a rating of 8/10 compared to Proper Twelve Irish Apple's 5/10. It delivers a more compelling overall experience that justifies its place in your collection.
That said, Proper Twelve Irish Apple is by no means a bad whiskey. If the flavour profile of Proper Twelve Irish Apple appeals to your palate more, don't let a number stop you.
Read the Full Reviews
- Writers’ Tears Cask Strength Irish Whiskey (2023) – Full Review
- Proper Twelve Irish Apple – Full Review
Final Reflections
Writers’ Tears Cask Strength Irish Whiskey (2023) vs Proper Twelve Irish Apple: Which Irish Should You Buy? is the kind of bottle that rewards the curious — those willing to sit with a glass and let the story unfold at its own pace.
