Teeling Single Grain (46%, OB, 2018)

• ABV: 46%
• Age: NAS
• Bottling: OB, Wine Casks
• Category: Irish single grain whiskey
• Cost: £42.95
• Origin: Teeling distillery
• Vintage: Undeclared

Image courtesy of Master of Malt

What they say

A wholly unique style within Irish Whiskey, pushing the boundaries of convention, at the intersect of where old meets new.

Teeling Single Grain Irish Whiskey is crafted using an unconventional mash bill consisting of 95% corn and 5% malted barley that has been triple distilled and matured exclusively in French oak Ex-Cabernet Sauvignon red wine casks from California, producing a truly unique Irish Whiskey. This highly unique style is almost entirely corn-based. The 95%+ corn base imparts a distinctly sweet flavour profile. The Process of column distillation provides a light, soft, neutral base to layer flavour through unique barrel choice in the next step. The wholly unique use of red wine barrels from the Napa Valley, California, imparts a red berry influence, with a touch of tannic spice.

Proudly bottled at 46% ABV
with no chill filtration, for true character.

Official tasting notes:

• The nose opens with spice and fruit notes that mingle with an underlying sweet, sugary note.
• The palate has a silky smooth mouthfeel, with a touch of spice and deep berry notes that balance the sweet undertones.
• The tannic influence of the red wine creates a unique, short, dry finish, encouraging another sip.

What I say

Part of Teeling’s Trinity Collection comprised of Single Grain, Single Malt and Single Pot Still styles of Irish Whiskey. This single grain is produced mostly from corn and column distilled before maturing in ex-Californian Cabernet Sauvignon red wine casks.

My tasting notes:

• Appearance: dark straw gold (7/20), quick, medium-fine tears and tapered legs.
• Nose: Sweet, Polish, spirity grain spirit, floral, cleaning products, pink flowers, hint of spices towards the end, a touch of unmalted barley or ryebread style spice, furniture polish, with time lemon curd.
• Taste: Medium-light bodied, oily and creamy, soft brown sugar, vanilla, white pepper and dry white oak, buttery fudge or tablet, custard cream biscuits.
• Finish: Soft vanilla fudge with a spiced bite and some barley sugars.

Overall

Initially a little spirity on the nose but grat palate and flavour, with time/breathing mellows into a rich and sweet lemon curd, some tannin and spice but I didn’t place the wine cask – I mistook it for the grainy spice from unmalted barley or rye cereals.

Score 80/100

Don’t take my word for it:

Bloggers submit link to your review