Teeling Wonders of Wood Virgin Swedish Oak

It's been a while since I posted here. I notice when people I follow step away for a period, and I do ponder their whereabouts. My absence wasn't from whiskey, though I do step away from that periodically. It was merely a pause from feeling obligated to write about everything I sampled. Sometimes it becomes a chore, doesn't it? Feeling the need to document each new taste instead of simply experiencing it? Well, tonight I feel compelled to share my thoughts, as this Teeling Wonders of Wood Swedish Oak is one of nine bottles my wife acquired on a July trip to Ireland with her sibling. I was participating in a dry month then and stayed home with our two children, so the nine bottles served as a reward for my not objecting to her going and leaving me to manage the little ones. She and her brother toured several distilleries, including Teeling, Bushmills, and Middleton. She inquired about my preferences and sent images of available selections; my choices were either distillery exclusives or items hard to obtain locally. At that time, we had the Portuguese Oak available but not the Swedish, though I suspect the Swedish Oak is more common now (I also had her get me the Teeling Cask Strength Black Pitts, so expect a review of that in the near future). With that in mind, we had our final servings of this Swedish Oak this evening in the Waterford rocks glasses she also bought there; she had these shipped instead of packing them, unlike the nine bottles in her luggage, which was quite an accomplishment if you ask me and clear evidence of her affection. It brings to mind Green Spot Chateau Leoville, but it surpasses it slightly (we compared both shortly after opening this one). The first descriptor that comes to mind for this spirit is smooth. The aroma is abundant with bright vanilla and citrus, leaning more towards orange than lemon. The taste presents vibrant floral honey notes, evoking Dalwhinnie 15 Year scotch, but somewhat amplified due to the higher proof, and the conclusion blends the orange creamsicle character with a touch of spice. In summary, it's among the finest Irish whiskies I've sampled and makes me keen to acquire the Portuguese Oak before it disappears from my region. Definitely suggest it.

Abundant notes of yellow fruit, golden syrup, and floral undertones. Aroma: Bananas, Spearmint, Golden Syrup, Sour Cherries, Apricots, Elderflower, Almonds, Cinnamon, Strawberry Bubble Gum Taste: Vanilla, Passion Fruit, Mangoes, Golden Syrup, Almonds, Cherries, Peaches, Apricots, Sultanas, Yellow Kiwis Finish: Golden Kiwis, Mandarins, Honey, Eucalyptus, Elderflower

The aroma is quite bland, with hints of orange and apricot. On the palate, it's a fruit explosion with noticeable sweetness. Spicy finish.

A sweet scent and taste, followed by a lingering hint of cloves.

Purchased overseas where it was less expensive than domestically.

Pronounced woody character. Sweet finish. Hints of caramel.