While tidying up my whisky room recently, I realised I had the perfect two bottles for a side-by-side comparison: the Teeling Single Malt vs Single Grain Irish whiskey. Having enjoyed several releases from Teeling over the years, this seemed like an excellent opportunity to compare two of their most popular expressions.
My journey with Teeling began with their Small Batch whiskey, a bottle that left a lasting impression. Since then, I’ve sampled several releases from this innovative Dublin distillery, and I’ve rarely been disappointed.
The Teeling story goes back to 1782 when Walter Teeling established a distillery on Marrowbone Lane in Dublin’s historic Liberties district. Like many Irish whiskey producers, the family faced difficult times during the industry’s long decline, and the original distillery eventually closed in 1976.
Fortunately for whiskey lovers, the Teeling family’s passion for distilling never disappeared. In 2015, brothers Jack and Stephen Teeling opened the modern Teeling Distillery in Dublin. It is just a short distance from the site of their ancestor’s original operation.
Today, Teeling is known not only for producing innovative Irish whiskey but also for its commitment to sustainability. From rainwater harvesting systems to energy recovery initiatives and responsible sourcing practices, the distillery has worked hard to reduce its environmental impact while continuing to push the boundaries of Irish whiskey production.
Teeling Single Malt Irish Whisky
The Teeling Single Malt whiskey is matured in five different wine casks: Sherry, Port, Madeira, White Burgundy and Cabernet Sauvignon. Produced from 100% malted barley, the whiskey contains a blend of vintages, including spirit distilled as far back as 1991.
As with many Teeling releases, it is non-age-statement (NAS), non-chill-filtered, and contains no added colouring.
It retails in the affordable category, and I have spotted it on Amazon.
Teeling Single Grain Irish Whiskey
The Teeling Single Grain whiskey takes a very different approach. Its mash bill consists of 95% corn and 5% malted barley, and it is triple distilled before being matured exclusively in ex-Cabernet Sauvignon wine casks from California for over five years.
Like the Single Malt, it is an NAS whiskey, non-chill-filtered and free of artificial colouring. It retails for slightly less than the Single Malt, and it is available on Amazon.
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 |
| Pairs well with | A cheese board | Roasted veggies or seafood |
On the nose of the Teeling Single Malt, I found layers of toasted oak and pear sweetness. There are notes of melon and lemon with bits of dark chocolate and warming spices.
On the Single Grain, the nose brings cherry sweetness and creamy condensed milk. Sweet ripe grapes with hints of vanilla and cinnamon. The Single Grain is a sweeter, lighter whiskey with elegant and clean aromas.
The palate of the Single Malt is 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 raisins. Despite the complexity created by the five-cask maturation, the flavours remain beautifully balanced, with no single cask dominating the experience.
The Single Grain palate has notes of tropical fruit, honey, freshly baked cinnamon rolls with bits of oak and warming black pepper. There is a creamy vanilla note in the background. The Cabernet Sauvignon casks add a distinctive richness that helps set this whiskey apart from many other grain whiskies on the market.
While the Single Grain may not offer the same depth and complexity as the Single Malt, it is incredibly approachable and easy to enjoy.
Teeling Single Malt vs Single Grain: The Verdict
Both whiskies showcase the Teeling distillery’s innovative spirit and its willingness to experiment with wine-cask maturation.
The Single Grain is sweet, accessible and excellent value for money. It’s a whiskey that can be enjoyed casually while still offering enough character to keep enthusiasts interested.
However, for my palate, the Single Malt takes the crown. Its richer mouthfeel, greater complexity and impressive balance make it the more rewarding dram. Yes, it comes with a slightly higher price tag, but I believe the liquid’s complexity justifies the additional cost.
Teeling continues to be one of the most exciting names in Irish whiskey, and both of these bottles demonstrate why the distillery has earned such a loyal following.
But what about you? In the battle of Teeling Single Malt vs Single Grain Irish whiskey, which one would earn a place on your whisky shelf?
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