I am exploring the last of my Teeling samples, a single malt whiskey from Ireland, and it is time for the Teeling single malt Irish whiskey. I wrote about Teeling whiskey for the first time in 2015 when I captured my tasting notes for the Teeling Small Batch whiskey.
In 2020 I got the opportunity to taste a few more releases from this inventive Irish whiskey brand. The Teeling Distillery of today was officially opened in 2015. However, the family’s distilling history in Ireland stretches back to 1782; Walter Teeling set up a craft distillery on Marrowbone Lane in the Liberties area of Dublin.
But unfortunately, as the economy turned, Irish whiskey fell on hard times, and the last still ran dry in 1976. Today the new Teeling distillery is only a stone throw from where Walter set up his distillery in the heart of Dublin.
To generate a profit while their own whiskey mature, they have been buying casks from other Irish distillers and selling it under their own brand.
The Teeling single malt whiskey has spirits matured in five different wine casks; sherry, port, Madeira, white burgundy and cabernet sauvignon. It is made from 100% malted barley with a range of different ages, including malt whiskey distilled in 1991.
In SA, this release retails for around R 790, and last time I checked, WhiskyBrother Shop had some stock.
Other releases in the range include the Teeling Single Grain and the Teeling Small Batch Irish whiskey. Teeling whiskey has no added colour, and it is not chill-filtered.
Teeling Single Malt Irish Whiskey Review
COUNTRY: Ireland
ABV: 46%
COLOUR: Gold
NOSE: Wood and fruity sweetness. Filled with sweet, ripe melon and lemon. Bits of dark chocolate and warming spices. A lovely inviting nose.
PALATE: A balanced mix of milk chocolate, toasty oak, white pepper and malt. Hints of warming cloves, cinnamon, ginger and malt. Hints of cherry lozenge and butterscotch. Medium body and very smooth. Some peppermint crisp chocolate in the background. Elegant and delicious! Add water carefully. Water dulls the flavours a bit.
FINISH: Long and lingering with dry oak and sweetness.
RATING: EXCELLENT
A well-balanced dram. The combination of wood, chocolate and spices are wonderfully warming. Just perfect for winter. It was my favourite of the three Teeling releases that I tried. The single malt is light but not delicate.
There is a chewy, oily quality to the mouth. Although Teeling used five different casks, none of the casks overwhelms the others. Each brings something unique, and they all fit together well. However, it was better to drink without water.
Also Read: Redbreast 12 yo Whiskey
Kevin Crossland
I’d have to agree – don’t add water beyond a drop or two. This is a kind of sleeper whiskey that is interesting with a variety of flavors to enjoy.
Sandra Teeling
Love the name