Ireland’s Teeling Distillery is now 5 years old and having made a name for themselves with a slew of smart, aged releases from ‘family’ stock, began releasing their own whiskey 18 months ago.
Their young Single Pot Still whiskey, a 50/50 mix of malted and unmalted barley, drew as many critics as fans when it was launched, but Teeling are keen to highlight that they are on a journey, they are making different whiskies to what’s been available in the past, and that their releases are about showcasing grain, yeast and how a whiskey matures.
Their new release of a single cask, Single Pot Still whiskey aged entirely in virgin American oak is firmly in that frame - a whopping 64.1% ABV monster that hides its rancour dangerously beneath a banquet of flavour.
Nose - At first, it’s dried apple and pineapple with Turkish delight sweetness, then potpourri - tons of cedarwood shavings.
Palate - Dried apricot, tropical fruits, then burnt sugar on vanilla custard. You’d be forgiven for thinking this was older than its 4 years.
With water, it manifests a thick and juicy caramel wedge and the tropical fruits burst out - the long finish is reminiscent of expensive wood polish, peppery and tannic but not unpleasant.
One to seek out, trust me.
Rumours of a peated single malt from these mavericks has also been confirmed, later this year I understand. Watch this space for more about “Black Pitts”.
The single cask, Single Pot Still is available as a ‘fill your own bottle’ at the distillery (if you are lucky enough to be in Ireland) or for the rest of us, online at teelingdistillery.com/shop.
