Teeling Whiskey Company

‘Bringing choice and breadth back to the Irish whiskey category through small batch releases of interesting and flavoursome bottlings. Our goal is to revive the Independant Spirit of Ireland’. 

Teeling Whiskey Company and their mission when launching. It’s an interesting idea, and one that has seen them grow into a recognisable brand within the ever-growing Irish whiskey category. It’s no surprise then that the family behind the name know what they are doing, having steeped themselves in plenty of recognisable ventures over the last 300 years.

Jack Teeling, founder of the Teeling Whiskey Company, comes from a family long associated with Irish whiskey. From Walter Teeling in 1782, who set up a distillery on Marrowbone Lane in Dublin (at a time when there were over 37 different distilleries within the city), to John Teeling, who founded Cooley Distillery in 1987. Even his brother Stephen works alongside him after gaining experience with working on Kilbeggan before moving to become sales and marketing director.

Jack’s goal is to have and showcase a portfolio which covers different expressions of Irish whiskey to allow people to experience the full spectrum of styles and flavours Irish whiskey can provide, all while based in Dublin and having the honour of being the first distillery since Powers moved away (125 years in the making shall we say). In fact, their new distillery is right back where the story started in 1782 and only a stone’s throw away from where Walter Teeling’s old distillery was. Located in an ancient market square named Newmarket, an area long associated with brewing and distilling, the new distillery is a three copper pot still operation that revives the traditional style of Dublin whiskey distillation.

As you would expect, Teeling Whiskey Company have released expressions that define themselves and Dublin, so it’s with this that I present to you my tasting notes as I experience –

Teeling Irish Whiskey Small Batch – 46%

A small batch bottling that consists of hand selected casks. These are then further matured in ex-Flor de Cana rum barrels as well as being non-chill filtered.
Lots of soft vanilla notes on the nose, with a slight hit of spice near the end. A developing spice forms on the palate, with rich herbs, vanilla and caramel dancing until it mellows with a tingle on the long finish.

Teeling Irish Whiskey Single Grain – 46%

Released in November of 2013, a small batch release of their single grain whiskey that has been partly matured in Californian red wine barrels. Teeling Whiskey Company claim that this is one of only a handful of such expressions in the world, made predominately with maize and corn, which is distilled through the process of column distillation.
Sweet notes on the nose, with some caramelised fruits coming through softly. Soft on the palate, with a developing flavour of warm vanilla and fudge. Slight honey near the long finish.

Teeling Irish Whiskey The Revival #1 – 46%

Limited edition 15 Year Old Single Malt specially selected to celebrate the opening of the Teeling Whiskey Distillery. Matured in ex rum barrels.
Soft oak on the nose, with subtle sherry and raisin notes coming through. Rich flavours of spice and peach hit the palate, with the peach becoming more aromatic as it develops. Cloves and cinnamon dominate to the long, intense finish.

Teeling Irish Whiskey The Revival #2 – 46%

The second release from The Revival range, this one seeing a 13 year maturation within ex Calvados casks, marking the one year anniversary of the new distillery.
Light notes of candied fruits on the nose, with subtle dried cinnamon coming through. A developing bold, sharpness upon the palate, with toffee, stewed green apple and cracked pepper blending well. A lingering, fresh finish, with notes of baked pastry.

Teeling Irish Whiskey The Revival #3 – 46%

The third release within The Revival range, this time seeing a 14 year old single Irish malt distilled in 2002, matured in ex-Bourbon casks, then finished in 350 litre ex-Pineau des Charantes casks. It celebrates the 18 month anniversary of the opening of the Teeling Whiskey Distillery.
Fudge and butter notes on the nose, with soft maraschino cherry and cream coming through slowly. Red grape flavours hit the tip of the tongue, with sweet butter, red apple and warm cinnamon combining to offer a long baked tart finish.

Teeling Irish Whiskey The Revival #5 – 46%

The fifth release within The Revival range, this consists of their Single Malt Irish whiskey initially matured within bourbon barrels for 12 years, then finished in a combination of ex-Brandy and ex-Cognac casks.
Subtle roasted almond upon the nose, with notes of orange peel, fudge and fresh-pressed red grapes. Rich honey comes through to the palate, followed by red apple, hints of cherry, sharp lemon and a kick of warm cinnamon bark. The finish lingers with a fresh breath of candied orange and dry oak.

Teeling Irish Whiskey Vintage Reserve 24yr – 46%

Limited to 5000 bottles, this is matured initially in Bourbon casks before being given an additional maturation in ex-Sauternes wine barrels.
Rich sherry aromas on the nose, followed by vibrant white grape and subtle smoak. A thin profile upon the palate, with a dry grape skin flavour growing alongside fresh wood, subtle toffee and cream soda. A lingering finish.

Teeling Irish Whiskey Vintage Reserve 30yr – 46%

“This Platinum bottling of 30 Year Old is the oldest recent bottling of Irish Single Malt and has been limited to only 250 bottles making this one of the world’s most exclusive Irish whiskeys. Having been distilled in 1983 and allowed to rest for over 30 years in Bourbon cask, this limited edition whiskey has been hand selected for its distinctive taste qualities.”
Fine, light caramel notes on the nose, with rich almonds following. Sharp start on the palate, but mellows into a light malt, honey and spice blend that creates a lingering finish.

Teeling Irish Whiskey Poitín – 61.5%

Poitín is a clear, non-aged Irish spirit, yet its alcohol strength was outlawed in 1661, driving the whole industry underground until now. Teeling’s variation is a blend of 80% triple-distilled corn spirit and 20% double-distilled malt.
Hints of spice and sour mix on the nose, with a rather mellow palate. Citrus and marzipan combine, with hits of dried fruit along the way to a warming finish that lingers.

A varied line-up of expressions, but if you like your Irish whiskey and enjoy experiencing something with more depth and intrigue, these could be worth making room in your drinks cabinet for.

© David Marsland and Drinks Enthusiast 2018. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog/sites author and owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to David Marsland and Drinks Enthusiast with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.