Teeling 21 Years Old 1991 Vintage Reserve (46%, OB, Bourbon & Sauternes Casks, 5000 Bottles, 2014)

• Irish single malt whiskey
• 46% ABV,
• £135 for 70cl
• Score: 83/100

What they say:

This Silver Reserve bottling consists of 21 Year Old Irish Single Malt whiskey matured firstly in Bourbon casks then allowed to marry in Sauternes wine casks for an extra twelve months to provide a full flavoured Irish whiskey taste experience. Consisting of only hand selected casks chosen for their distinctive taste qualities this small batch bottling is limited to just 5,000 bottles and was honoured as the Best Irish Single Malt in the World.

Nose: Aromas of white grapes, cut grass, apricots and white chocolate.

Taste: Silky smooth, with flavours of fig jam, honey, apricots, white chocolate and crisp saltiness at the end to balance the sweetness off.

Finish: Long and mellow.

What I say:

The 6th and final dram at the WOLS Edinburgh Whisky Blog World Tour Tasting! was the 21 year old Teeling 1991 Vintage Reserve. Thought to be the first Irish single malt whisky that has been finished in ex-Sauternes casks.

Colour:

Dark copper gold (12/20), heavy tears

Nose:

Like the inside of old gym shoes/plimsoles, burnt, sulphury, rubbery, sweet burnt caramel, treacle, rum and raisin fudge

Taste:

Treacle, caramel, fudge, quince, savoury, meat, anise, herbal, farmyard or barn, hay and silage

Finish:

Medium-long, vegetal, boiled cabbage

Overall:

Unusual and really not totally to my liking. The initial bourbon maturation and ex-Sauternes hasn’t really leant much sweetness or light flavours to this. Too sulphury on the nose and then rather vegetal on the palate. I’m not sure the finishing combination has worked with the base whiskey in this expression, rather highlighted some of the more unusual flavours and aromas. This ended up feeling rather agricultural.