Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey

Upon my initial encounter with Teeling Small Batch, I was greeted with an experience that was startlingly reminiscent of a high-quality rum, rather than a whiskey. The profile of this spirit bore a striking similarity to esteemed rums like El Dorado 12 and Diplomatico, showcasing a surprising and delightful twist in the world of blended whiskeys with rum cask finishes. However, the true character of Teeling Small Batch began to unfold around the third day after opening the bottle. It evolved distinctly into a whiskey with a refined, lingering rum aftertaste – a testament to its intricate craftsmanship. In terms of value, Teeling Small Batch stands out as an exceptional choice. Priced at approximately $30, it delivers a complexity and quality that surpasses expectations. This whiskey not only provides a unique tasting experience but also represents an excellent example of innovative distilling techniques. My overall assessment of Teeling Small Batch is overwhelmingly positive, warranting a perfect score of 5 out of 5, or 100 out of 100. Teeling has truly achieved a remarkable feat in the realm of whiskey, creating a product that can both surprise and delight the palate.

18.10.2024 - soirée concert - Crafty Coyote Bar - Toronto Un nez plein de miel et une belle robe ambrée qui annonce de la douceur et de la délicatesse. Première bouche mielleuse et suave comme la caresse matinale d'une gourgandine encore éméchée qui vous réveille tendrement, un ton plus prononcé d'alcool en 2eme bouche ... Il est très rond Pas de coffre, un whisky pour jeune femme qui s'initie et qui n'est pas encore en âge d'apprécier la charpente des whyskis écossais ou la violence des brandy arméniens. Un goût méchamment industriel vient détruire toutes les arômes en 3ème bouche ... Comme un as qui vient au flop réduire a néant ma pocket paire de roi... Ou un damoiseau qui me ravie une baronne convoitée Le goût est cheap, trop doux, pas d'arômes naturelles, on dirait vraiment vraiment une version wish d'un whisky japonais C'est quoi la version wish d'un japonais ? Un chinois ? On dirait un whisky chinois !

First of all, if I didn’t know better I would think this was rum rather than just rum finished whiskey. Sweet malt hides beneath a thick blanket of cane sugar, ripe tropical fruits, pineapple, coconut, papaya, and bananas flambé, as well as vanilla extract rested in oak. The taste is sweet with a moderate level of heat. Molases, 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 consolidate into fat droplets that gain momentum quickly but shortly dissipate. The finish is on the short side, but not disappointing, with notes of toasted oak, waxy nuts, and whispers of that rummy sweetness and funk. Nose: 9 Palate: 9 Body: 9 Finish: 8

Nose: Classic Irish whisky up front with honey, apple, biscuit style cookie, but then transitions to a light creamy quality with dried fruits, baking spices, a general hint of coconut shavings, and the lightest wisps of tropical tones from the rum cask finish. Palate: the tropical tones peel away here and give way to a creamy and bright honey note, lemon, sweet vanilla, barrel spices, a slight herbal note, all with a warm peppery finish. Has a great mouthfeel and is definitely lending from that rum cask to give a unique twist on Irish whisky. If you want something a little different from your typical Irish whisky, this might be it.

91/100 Floral and herbal, with hints of vanilla, rum raisin notes, and allspice. Creamy vanilla sweetness, with a dried fruit, raisin, and apricot character and slight tingling spice. Long, warming finish with lingering sweetness, spice, and oak notes. The dram is very good neat. It is significantly better than the standard Jameson Irish Whiskey. ($29.95) But I have not compared it to Jameson Triple Triple ($34.95) or Jameson Black($39.95). The last two brands are more comparable to the Teeling Small Batch price point. Reviewed 8/2025

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Lught 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!