Estimated despatch 24th October
The flagship expression from Dublin's Teeling, the Small Batch Irish whiskey is made with a blend of malt and grain whiskeys, initially aged in ex-Bourbon barrels. Following that, the Teeling folks moved the whiskey over to casks that had previously held Central American rum! In these casks, the whiskey had an extra rest for up to 12 months, before being bottled at 46% ABV without any chill-filtration. Wonderfully full-flavoured, with plenty of fresh fruit, creamy vanilla and lively spice notes to enjoy!
Cut grass and orange blossom. Allspice, hints of vanilla, apple pie and blackberries.
Spiced, rich palate with rose petal jelly and lemon curd. Creamy vanilla, hints of dried herbs and cinnamon.
Floral, herbal finish. Caramel on the tail.
A deliciously creamy, spicy and rich Irish blend.
I'm a bourbon guy! Have been, always will be! But recently, the bourbon posse of posers and collectors have caused me to stop chasing the elusive great bottles of bourbon and to start chasing the great IRISH WHISKEY that is now available in the US. First, there's not enough of the great Irish Whiskey's available in the US! We NEED MORE! I live in a country where I can't buy Teeling Single Grain, Teeling Silver Reserve and I've never seen Teeling Gold Reserver, although I don't think I can afford that bottle. Even the Teeling Poitin, I would buy, because of how the Teeling Small Batch has changed so many people's belief's about Irish Whiskey. Here's how that happens in my world. Any time I'm introducing someone to this present new breed of Irish Whiskey, I reach for a bottle of Teeling. It's floral, light, sweet, has that "green apple" and "sweet dewy meadow on a spring day" flavor, that anyone who is new to drinking whiskey or thinks Irish Whiskey is only the two standards found in every bar, they are overwhelmed with this beautiful, complex, delicate, "entry level" flavor and gentle warmth Teeling brings. I LOVE IT!! And when someone who says, "I don't drink whiskey," or "I don't drink Irish Whiskey," and they come back for seconds? They're hooked. Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey is special. So special. Go get yourself some today!!
Day two dram on the advent calendar! What a surprise. The high ABV and non chill filtering and rum cask make this a very different Irish whiskey. Never a fan of irish whiskey before but this has opened my eyes.
Never been a fan of Irish whiskey and this has done nothing to change my opinion. Sharp, acidic, harsh.
Day two of the advent calendar, and after the Haig Club of day one I;m apprehensive. As it turns out I needn't have been. Definite citrus scent backed up with vanilla and brown sugar. To taste it begins promisingly enough but once the alcohol hits your tongue it overwhelms the flavours, almost like a cask strength without the body to back it up. However... Add a splash of water and it's a revelation. Toning down the alcohol opens it up and lets you taste the spice and vanilla and an undertone of dark rum and smoke. Wouldn't agree with the tasting notes above on the herbs and floral side but a dark caramel at the end is definitely there, Not one for peat lovers and not overly complicated but for a wee drop on a cold evening you could do a lot worse.
Nose: Cut grass from the fields of Valhalla. Allspice from the table of Asgard, hints of Odin's Mother's apple pie. Palate: If the 300 had tasted this on the eve of the Battle of Thermopylae, then history would have turned out very different. Spices, Cinnamon, exotic fruits abound. Finish: Mountain wildflowers, caramel like Grandma used to make, hints of Sadness and Regret if it's the last dram from the bottle. Overall: Indescribably good offering from people who really know what they're doing around a still full of Alcohol.
