The Teeling Whiskey Co. Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey NV 750ml

This Irish whiskey finished in rum casks has a bold baked-apple character backed up with vanilla and lots of oak. Adding water unleashes grapefruit peel, a hoppy hint and clove sizzle.

The first conventional release from this fledgling company. Irish whiskey’s equivalent to a seemingly frothy sweet pop song, which on closer inspection has barbed and cutting lyrics. It’s a sweet Irish blend and seems like it. But it has a high malt content, is packed with flavor, and it easily justifies its price. It’s creamy and rich with toffee notes, there’s some tropical fruit and delicious rum-and-raisin milk chocolate. Not too cloying despite the sweetness, either.

Small batch, blend of malt and grain whiskies. Teeling Distillery Malt is double distilled; grain is triple distilled Finished in used rum casks for 6 months and bottled at 46%. Nose: A slight malty note, followed by baked apple, vanilla, baking spices, sweet rum and a floral bouquet of orange blossom. Palate: Medium bodied with a pleasant blast of spice-ground cinnamon and vanilla-lemon curd, blackberries, toasted wood and dried fruits. Finish: Medium in length, with a sweet caramel and dried herbal reminder.