Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey

My first taste of Teeling Small Batch was surprisingly similar to a high-quality rum, rather than a whiskey. The spirit's profile strongly resembled respected rums like El Dorado 12 and Diplomatico, offering an unexpected and pleasant variation in the realm of blended whiskeys with rum cask finishes. However, the true nature of Teeling Small Batch started to reveal itself around the third day after opening. It distinctly developed into a whiskey with a refined, lingering rum aftertaste – a testament to its intricate production. In terms of value, Teeling Small Batch is an outstanding option. At around $30, it provides a complexity and quality that exceed expectations. This whiskey not only offers a unique tasting journey but also serves as an excellent example of innovative distilling techniques. My overall assessment of Teeling Small Batch is highly favorable, earning a perfect score of 5 out of 5, or 100 out of 100. Teeling has truly accomplished something remarkable in the whiskey world, creating a product that can both surprise and satisfy the palate.

A nose full of honey and a lovely amber color, suggesting sweetness and delicacy. The initial taste is honeyed and smooth, like a tipsy courtesan's morning caress waking you tenderly; a stronger alcohol note emerges on the second taste. It's very rounded. Lacking depth, this is a whiskey for a beginner woman, not yet ready for the structure of Scottish whiskies or the intensity of Armenian brandies. A wickedly industrial flavor destroys all aromas on the third taste, like a lucky card at the flop crushing my pocket pair of kings, or a young nobleman charming away my coveted baroness. The taste is cheap, too sweet, lacking natural aromas; it truly resembles a wish version of a Japanese whisky. What's a wish version of a Japanese? A Chinese? It tastes like a Chinese whisky!

Initially, if I didn't know better, I'd think this was rum rather than just whiskey with a rum finish. Sweet malt is hidden beneath a thick layer of cane sugar, ripe tropical fruits, pineapple, coconut, papaya, and bananas flambé, as well as vanilla extract aged in oak. The taste is sweet with a moderate level of heat. Molasses, cinnamon, chili pepper, chocolatey nougat, caramel, and creamy wood notes. A relatively full-bodied mouthfeel, fluffy and viscous. It coats the glass beautifully, forming a tight skirt with a fringe of tiny beads that eventually merge into large droplets that gain speed quickly but soon disappear. The finish is on the shorter side, but not disappointing, with notes of toasted oak, waxy nuts, and hints of that rummy sweetness and funk. Aroma: 9 Palate: 9 Body: 9 Finish: 8

Aroma: Classic Irish whiskey upfront with honey, apple, and biscuit-like cookie, then shifts to a light creaminess with dried fruits, baking spices, a general hint of coconut shavings, and the faintest wisps of tropical notes from the rum cask finish. Palate: The tropical notes fade here, giving way to a creamy and bright honey flavor, lemon, sweet vanilla, barrel spices, a slight herbal note, all with a warm peppery finish. It has a great mouthfeel and is definitely benefiting from that rum cask to offer a unique twist on Irish whiskey. If you're looking for something a bit different from your typical Irish whiskey, this could be it.

91/100 Floral and herbal, with undertones of vanilla, rum raisin, and allspice. Creamy vanilla sweetness, accompanied by dried fruit, raisin, and apricot characteristics, and a slight tingling spice. A long, warming finish with persistent sweetness, spice, and oak notes. This dram is excellent neat. It significantly surpasses the standard Jameson Irish Whiskey. ($29.95). However, I haven't compared it to Jameson Triple Triple ($34.95) or Jameson Black ($39.95). The latter two are more comparable to the Teeling Small Batch price point. Reviewed 8/2025

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Light amber. Nose: Banana bread. Palate: Oily mouthfeel with mild spice fading to oaky dryness. Finish: Medium length with mild heat. Splash: Baking spice becomes somehow more pronounced with a few drops of water. Overall: 9/10 - The nose was a pleasant surprise that I had not found in an Irish whiskey before. The palate and finish remind me more of an American Single Malt than Irish whiskey. Nicely done!