Teeling Rum Cask

TEELING IRISH WHISKEY SHOWDOWN Teeling Small Batch Rum Casks Teeling Single Cask Sherry Cask I've been exploring Irish Whiskey more lately and am quite pleased with Teeling. Their spirits showcase meticulousness and excellence, blending heritage with modern approaches. Teeling offers various products, from the accessible Rum Casks to Single Barrel and special editions. Below is an evaluation of the only two from their collection I've sampled. To ensure clarity of my senses, I opened three other bottles from different distilleries for comparison, making this a five-part event, though the other three whiskies were not reviewed in detail. Teeling Small Batch Rum Casks Its color is medium straw (Pantone 124). The aroma presents tropical fruits like grapefruit, papaya, guava, and banana, alongside white raisins, fruitcake, gardenia, and a hint of ethanol, with subtle vanilla. It carries an aroma reminiscent of a reposado tequila, which may seem odd but fits the other notes. It also smells of rum, understandable given the cask finish. I detect a honey-lemon scent akin to a Hall's cough drop, minus the menthol (similar to the aroma I find in Nikka Coffey Malt, but less intense; I checked by tasting the Nikka and the resemblance is present). The texture is somewhat viscous, and the taste is very fruity, with more white raisins. The 46% ABV makes its presence known on the finish appropriately, and there's additional honey lemon, butterscotch, and vanilla on the finish, with a faint espresso undertone (like espresso with a touch of sugar and lemon zest). I appreciate this introductory Teeling, but it requires patience to reveal its full character (I assessed its aroma and taste for almost 40 minutes). It feels unique to me, even with my developing experience in Irish Whiskey. Sipping it is like navigating a labyrinth, with delightful surprises at every turn. Beyond the Nikka Coffey Malt aroma, it brings to mind a less mature version of Compass Box Hedonism (a bottling I've never enjoyed or rated highly; I tasted it too and found similarities, although the Compass Box was much thicker and sweeter). Where else can one find a complex 46% ABV Irish whiskey that is non-chill filtered, mentally engaging, and priced under $40? I suspect nowhere but here. Will I purchase it again? Yes. I will soon need to get a replacement (the last dram from my bottle was used for this tasting). 4.0 out of 5 stars. 46% ABV. Non-chill filtered. Batch # SB/61. Initially matured in bourbon casks, then finished for up to 12 months in rum casks. Teeling Single Cask Sherry Cask Medium straw color, nearly identical to the Rum Casks bottling. (Pantone 124). The intricate aroma offers honeysuckle, gardenia, Cheerios, cocoa powder, breakfast ham, butterscotch, toffee, hot cross buns, candied cashews, bacon, dates, and buttered pancakes. The texture is rich and oily, and the palate echoes the grapefruit and papaya notes. The 62.6% ABV is apparent and commanding, yet it remains smooth and sophisticated (much like Pierce Brosnan, the Irish James Bond). The grapefruit note persists on the finish, and similar to the Rum Casks expression, a subtle espresso bitterness emerges, which is pleasing rather than off-putting. The Teeling Sherry Cask is more robust, decadent, and vibrant than the Teeling Rum Casks (as anticipated), enhanced by the higher proof. Tasting it evokes the experience of drinking a fine cabernet before its prime—it seems concentrated, but a bit restrained. If it were wine, it would mature and soften over time (obviously, as a whiskey, this won't occur in the bottle). So, I decided to pour a bit of Redbreast Lustau, another Irish whiskey with a sherry cask finish (though at a much milder 46% ABV). They are quite distinct; the Lustau is smoother, comparable to Macallan 18's country relative (as I mentioned in my recent review). The Teeling Sherry Cask is significantly more floral and fruity, and even sharp (grapefruit). It possesses considerable complexity. This limited-edition Teeling release can be found for approximately $115 (reportedly only in duty-free shops). This bottle was a thoughtful gift from a dear friend, but would I buy it? Yes. 4.25 out of 5 stars. 62.6% ABV. Distilled 2016; Bottled 10/2023. Limited release. Both of these Teeling bottlings are unconventional—so much so that I brought in three additional whiskies for comparison. Both Teelings exhibit a tequila-like quality on the nose (reposado for the Rum Casks; añejo for the Sherry Cask), and I'd wager that with the Rum Casks especially, tasted blind alongside the appropriate reposado, an experienced palate would struggle to discern the difference (I should attempt that pairing sometime). Teeling is a brand I will keep an eye on, and I'm keen to sample more of their offerings. Note: All spirits were tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

Nose: Creamy wild strawberries, floral, grassy, red apples, raisins, and sweet rum. Palate Slightly dusty initially. Herbal, fruity, a bit ashy, light, with a touch of black pepper, and mellow bourbon barrel notes. Finish: Tannins, arrack, raisins, lingering coffee and ash. This is a very good whisky for the price. It's not fancy in any way, but definitely enjoyable. The rum cask influence is present throughout.

You can certainly detect the rum cask influence. It's mellow initially, then a touch of sweet rum flavor, concluding with some oaky spice.