I recently received a bottle of Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey to sample and review. I’d never tasted this brand before. The website says it represents the company’s “attempt to create the most interesting Blended Irish whiskey.”
The smell of this whiskey reminded me of an apple – sweet, tart and a bit woody. The first taste knocked me back a bit – this spirit is 92 proof. It’s surprisingly smooth for that high a proof, but on its own, it’s potent stuff. Upon tasting, those apple notes became more like vanilla, oak and some kind of spice. The longer I drank it, the more I enjoyed it. The complexity in the flavor keeps it intriguing.
The aftertaste was the same as the tasting, and the texture was very light, not oily or “thick” at all.
Since comparisons are inevitable, I’d have to say this one tastes more like Bushmill than Jameson, with a similar potency. But while Bushmill’s flavors can seem delicate, Teeling’s are politely assertive. If you enjoy Irish whiskey, this one is definitely worth a try.
Because this is such a strong spirit, it’s perfect for cocktails. The Whiskey Sour calls for bourbon, but if you’ve ever wished that cocktail were just a bit sweeter, try it with Teeling. It’s also great in an Irish Coffee, and since it has sweetness of its own, you might even be able to skip the Irish cream. The Irish Cola calls for Jameson, but Teeling makes for a stronger version that’s a bit less sweet.
If you’re passionate about whiskey, I would definitely suggest trying this one. It’s a very nice blended that’s suitable to drink on its own or in a cocktail.
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