I visited Teeling Distillery back on my trip to Ireland & I instantly fell in love with their products. Alcohol was more expensive over there than where I live so as soon as I got home, I picked up a bottle. It was their Small Batch, the perfect introduction to Teeling’s whiskey. They are independent distillers since 2014 & the only active ones in Dublin, the capital of Ireland.
“…this is a rich & sweet whiskey with an incredibly lush mouthfeel…”
Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey
Distilled by: Teeling Whiskey Co.
Type: Irish Blended Whiskey
Region: Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland
Age: NAS (4 to 7 years), ex-Bourbon barrels + matured 6 months in Flor de Caña barrels.
ABV: 46% (92 proof)
Mash bill: 25% Malted Barley, 75% Corn.
Colouring: No
Appearance: 9.5/10
Teeling’s Small Batch comes in a black bottle & it is topped with a cork. Both these features evoke some high quality producers who desire to protect what’s inside the bottle. The label is quite informative with information on the aging process, the filtration, the history behind the distillery along with a filled date. Pretty impressive as of yet. In the glass, the liquid is of a bright golden colour. It is clear without any sediments. When I tilt it on the side, fast well defined thin legs appear for an instant. Information on the mash bill, a tip on pairings or even a cocktail idea would’ve made this a perfect score.
Nose: 12.5/15
The nose doesn’t hide the rum influence at all. There are plenty of exotic aromas that are far more common in sugarcane-based spirits. I detect pineapple, mango, banana, juicy peaches, molasses & a sort of grassy note. This is surprising because I usually find that Flor de Caña has this same distinct green trait. Other than the rum quality, there is Bartlett pears, almond paste & lemon zest. All these get along really well with the more decadent aromas. The bourbon influence tops it off with intense vanilla, caramel, milk chocolate & cloves. This whiskey’s profile is fairly rich due to the aging & maturation in various barrels.
Mouth: 12/15
On the palate, the whiskey comes off as fairly sweet with a creamy texture, a full-body, a delicate acidity & delectable velvety tannins. The ethanol is incredibly soft for this ABV although it definitely seems spicier than on the nose. The flavours are near identical, only with riper fruits as well as a noticeable banana crème brulée with honey & vanilla impression. To freshen it up, some lemon peel, white peaches & tea leaves come along. Again, this is a rich & sweet whiskey with an incredibly lush mouthfeel along with plenty of decadent flavours.
Finish: 8.5/10
A soft burn helps to liven up this sweet dram. The finish lasts for a while with notes of cooked peaches, vanilla & green grapes.
Overall: 84/100
This whiskey has a good balance despite it being without a doubt on the sweeter & richer side of the spectrum. Loads of fruity aromas as well as rum & bourbon influences. The ethanol, the acidity & a mild spiciness help to counterbalance this decadence. Even though a lot is going on, I wouldn’t describe this as an overly complex bottle. It’s an enjoyable dram to drink & it remains accessible. All in all, it’s a decent Irish Whiskey, although I’m thirsty for more elegance & depth, which can probably be found in their higher-end products.
3-word Description
Rich, Fruity & Sweet.
References
More information @teelingwhiskey.com
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