While tidying up my whisky room, I realised I had the perfect duo for a side-by-side comparison: Teeling single malt vs single grain Irish whiskey. My journey with Teeling began with their Small Batch whiskey, an experience that left me thoroughly impressed.
Over time, I’ve enjoyed sampling various releases from this innovative Irish whiskey brand. The Teeling family’s legacy in distilling dates back to 1782 when Walter Teeling established a craft distillery on Marrowbone Lane in Dublin’s Liberties area.
The economic downturn, which led to tough times for Irish whiskey, forced the distillery to close in 1976. But distilling was in their blood, and the Teelings persisted.
In 2015, Jack and Stephen Teeling proudly opened the Teeling Distillery in Dublin, near where Walter had started his venture many years before.
Sustainability is a core value at Teeling Distillery, evident in its practices and philosophy. They’ve been recognised for their efforts, earning the ‘Sustainable Distillery of the Year’ title at Whisky Magazine’s 2022 Icons of Irish Whiskey Awards.
From sourcing sustainable raw materials to employing eco-friendly production processes, such as rainwater harvesting and energy reuse, Teeling is committed to minimising their environmental footprint.
Let’s delve into the spirits themselves:
Teeling Single Malt Irish Whisky
The Teeling single malt expression boasts maturation in five different wine casks—sherry, port, Madeira, white burgundy, and cabernet sauvignon. Crafted from 100% malted barley, with a blend of various ages, including whiskey distilled in 1991.
It’s a non-age statement (NAS) release. True to Teeling’s ethos, this whiskey is free from added colour and not chill-filtered.
Teeling Single Grain Irish Whiskey
The Teeling singel grain Irish whiskey release was introduced in 2013 and features a mash bill comprising 95% corn and 5% malted barley. Triple-distilled and aged exclusively in ex-Cabernet Sauvignon red wine casks from California for just over five years.
It’s another NAS release. Like its single malt counterpart, it’s devoid of added colour and chill-filtration.
Teeling Single Malt vs Single Grain Irish Whiskey
| Teeling Single Malt | Teeling Single Grain | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Single malt whiskey | Single grain whiskey |
| ABV | 46% | 46% |
| Colour | Gold | Amber |
| Age statement | NAS | NAS |
| Nose | Wood and pear sweetness. Filled with sweet, ripe melon and lemon. Bits of dark chocolate and warming spices. A lovely inviting nose. | Notes of cherry sweetness and creamy condensed milk. Sweet ripe grapes with hints of vanilla and cinnamon. The nose is elegant, sweet, and clean. |
| Palate | A balanced mix of milk chocolate, toasty oak, white pepper and malt. Warming cloves, cinnamon, ginger and malt with hints of cherry lozenge, vanilla and butterscotch. Medium body and very smooth. Elegant and delicious! | Tropical fruit salad drizzled with honey, freshly baked cinnamon rolls with bits of oak and warming black pepper. So smooth and drinkable, you don't even need to add water. |
| Finish | Dry oak and fruity sweetness. | Warming pepper balanced with soft honey sweetness and oak. |
| My Rating | Excellent | Excellent |
| Price | £44 / $55 | £35 / $45 |
| Pairs well with | A cheese board | Roasted veggies or seafood |
The Teeling single malt whiskey offers a harmonious blend of wood, chocolate, and spices, providing a comforting warmth. Despite maturing in five different casks, each contributes distinctively without overshadowing the others. It’s a dram best enjoyed neat, particularly on a chilly winter evening.
Conversely, the Teeling single grain whiskey delivers a sweet yet balanced profile, complemented by hints of pepper heat and malty richness. While it may not boast the complexity of its counterpart, its approachable nature makes it an enjoyable sip anytime.
For me, the single malt whiskey stole the show with its luscious, chewy texture that hits all the right notes. It is more expensive than the single grain, but I don’t mind paying the extra. For me, it is worth it.
I enjoy the whiskey that come from this innovative Irish distillery and will be looking out for more releases when I travel again.
But the question remains: which Teeling is your favourite?
