Teeling Irish Single Malt is among the new breed of Irish whiskeys that have popped up in, fairly, recent years that buck the trend of the 80 proof chill-filtered blend. Yes Irish single malts have been around for a while, but by-and-large Irish Whiskey has historically been light, sweet and ultra-accessible; almost like gateway whiskeys. Something to get you started before getting into the harder stuff from Islay or the cask strength monsters from Kentucky. An easy and unassuming ways to lure you down deeper dark paths of whiskey discovery.
Like I mentioned above there have been some fairly long standing outliers, but on the whole Irish single malt, and by extension 100% single pot still, whiskey have been fairly rare to come across in this category – let alone anything non-chill filtered and bottled above 40%. Though that’s slowly been turning and the last decade, especially the last 5 or so years, has seen major shifts with denser, richer, single malts and 100% single pot still whiskies hitting the market. The Teeling Irish Single Malt is a great example of that change and is kind of a mass market re-birth of a lovely style of whiskey that’s long been overlooked, but is finally getting the care and attention it deserves.
Teeling Irish Single Malt Info
Region: County Louth, Ireland
Distiller: Cooley
Bottler: Teeling
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon
Age: NAS
ABV: 46%
Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Price: $60*
Teeling Irish Single Malt Review
EYE
Straw
NOSE
Crisp complex orchard fruit, honey, dried red fruit, malty sweetness, caramel, bananas and Red Vines. There’s a light spice that runs beneath, but overall it’s a nice rich aroma that borders on buttery.
PALATE
Soft warm malty sweetness, bananas and buttery graham merge and remind me of a banana cream pie. Layers of crisp apples, honey and a touch of spice and dried fruit make this a dynamic palate.
FINISH
Layers of dried apples, banana, caramel and malt slowly fade out.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Great balance, round medium body and a soft oily feel.
OVERALL
The Teeling Irish Single Malt is a fantastic example of everything that’s right about a good Irish Whiskey. Classically Irish whiskeys have been light fruit and honey driven whiskies, but the newer lads on the block are putting out whiskies that buck the traditional 80 proof, chill-filtered, blended trend and bring some good depth with them. Whiskeys that display the true nature of Irish whiskey and the distillery the same way Scottish single Malts do.
Crisp orchard fruits, honey and banana still define the Teeling Irish Single Malt like they do most Irish whiskeys, but their approach also gives this Irish whiskey something it needs to really shine: an oily malty backbone. The decision to put this out as a non-chill filtered 92 proof release was smart and beautifully displays the complexity that Irish whiskey can have. Lovely stuff.
SCORE: 89/100
*Disclosure: This sample of Teeling Irish Single Malt was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
Teeling Irish Single Malt Review - Score Breakdown
Summary
If I were Jim Murray I’d say the Teeling Irish Single Malt gives us all a reason to live, but I’m not so I won’t. Instead I’ll say it’s a damn good whiskey and has carved out a place on my whiskey shelf for as long as it’s on the market.
Overall
- Nose - 89
- Palate - 89
- Finish - 89
- Balance, Body & Feel - 89
I am a Redbreast fan boy, but I heard word about Teelings being on of the best distilleries out there so I decided to give it a try and I am amazed at the explosion of flavours on the first sip. I am a heretic so I like whiskey on ice due to the weather in my area but I can’t wait to pour this into my tasting glass this tonight,
Whiskey on ice isn’t heresy here. Drink what you like, how you like. Cheers Pyrrhus!
Been drinking Teeling malt for several years now would not change it for anything else unless it is another Teeling it is simply the best money can buy
Awesome, thanks for sharing, cheers!
I saw on their site they have a single pot still whiskey! I guess it’s not available her yet? Have you heard when it might be?
It just recently launched. Not avail in the USA yet, but future batches will be. I tried the “illegal” version (2.5 years old) and it’s quite tasty. Gonna be interesting to try the real deal. Cheers Jon!
Picked this up yesterday based on your review: love it! Lately Irish Whiskey is starting to compete with Bourbon for me!
Nice, hope you enjoy!
Impossible
How can this be? Is Malted Barley magical? Was Willy Wonka Irish?
I have never tasted anything like this before. It starts out sweet and simple and then BAM! An apple orchard explodes across my taste buds. Wonderful! And then BAM! Bananas Foster and Creme Brulee crush the apple orchard squeezing the juice out which eventually wins out again. Magical.
Love the descriptions, cheers Tony!
Well….I’ve actually toured the distillery. I can assure you, it’s in dublin and so are the stills that produce the (young) liquors. The older stuff was indeed born on Cooley grounds, but the kegs are now stored in Dublin as well (or some are).
Fine distillery and a pretty good poor. This is my fav next to the 23 y/o and a sight cheaper as well.
You’re absolutely right that the new Teeling distillery is Dublin, but Cooley is in Louthe which is where this came from :)
Josh I agree with you I also toured the distillery in Dublin last year the product they are currently putting out is their old family stock in Cooley until they are able to age the newly distilled product in Dublin.
Fact Check..Teelings is made in Dublin which is in county Dublin not county Louth..
Hi Neil,
Sorry, but no. Teeling is located (possibly bottled there), but the whiskey itself is made in Cooley which is located in Louth. Whiskey made at the new Dublin Teeling distillery won’t start being released till the end of 2018 at the earliest.
Just another comment to say thanks for reviewing this bottle and steering me in the direction of Teeling, Josh. I picked this one up and am enjoying it quite a bit. I found it to have a similar profile to Aberlour 12 NCF, which I like a lot. The bottle hasn’t been open long, however, so I am looking forward to seeing what it does with some time.
Also, the Teeling Single Cask is fantastic. I think you would love its fruity maltiness.
Cheers!
Jealous indeed!
Hmmmmmmm… you are so dang tough on my wallet!
Now, I’ve got to put this on my list…
Yeah sorry about that :/
Much agreed — really enjoyed this one, more so than the Single Grain. Cheers!
Indeed!