”I Gotta Teeling”
Whisky Review # 977
Country: Ireland 🇮🇪
Brand: Teeling Revival - Volume V
Bottled/Distilled/Matured for: Teeling Whiskey Company - 15.000 Bottles
Distilled at: Undisclosed. Most likely Ex-Cooley casks
Type: Single Malt Whiskey
Distilled at: Undisclosed. Most likely Ex-Cooley casks
Type: Single Malt Whiskey
Age: 12 Years
Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 46% (Double-Distilled)
Maturation: Ex-Bourbon Casks with Cognac and Brandy Cask Finish
Chill Filtration: No
Maturation: Ex-Bourbon Casks with Cognac and Brandy Cask Finish
Chill Filtration: No
Sample provided by Jan from The Netherlands. Many Thanks!
Average Price: US$ 110-130 (February 2023)
Price/Quality Ratio: 👎 Too expensive for what it offers - Nice packaging though!
Buying Advice: 😐 Good Nose. Disappointing Palate/Finish. Or maybe it's just me!
Colour: White Wine (Natural Colour)
Nose:
Please give this Teeling some time in the glass before Nosing to avoid the wafts of Alcohol. With time the Malt becomes more Mellow & Accessible. The Nose presents both Sweet and Sour notes and there's a Green feel to it. I'm not quite sure what Aromas to expect from Cognac/Brandy casks. But I get more Coconut than usual & there are some slightly "Burnt" notes as well. There's quite a lot of Fruit as well but more of the Fruitcake and Fruit Liqueur type. Not too bad and still Young & Fresh.
Main Aromas:
Sweet Barley, Vanilla, German Butter Biscuits, Honey, Coconut, Peach/Apricot filled Pastry, Green Apple, Pear, Soaked Raisins, Grass and Hay, Toasted Pineapple, Dusty Oak and Dough.
Supportive Aroma Accents:
Slightly Burnt Caramel, Banana, Citrus Peel, Mandarin, Grapefruit, Nectarine, Cake with Fresh Cream, Grappa, Fresh Green Herbs, Marzipan, Sour Berries, Cinnamon & Mint.
Palate:
A mix of Sweet, Bitter and Sour notes and a hint of Salt. The Alcohol is noticeable by now and there's a light Burn. It misses a bit of the Freshness of the Nose and it also becomes slightly Unbalanced. A little disappointing after the simple but not unpleasant Nose.
Main Flavours:
Toasted and Malted Barley, slightly Burnt Caramel, Vanilla, Fruit Cake with a mix of Orchard - and Tropical Fruit and topped with Cream, Grass and Hay, Fresh and Dried Herbs, Dough, Yeast, Dusty Charred Oak, Pepper, Ginger and Cloves.
Price/Quality Ratio: 👎 Too expensive for what it offers - Nice packaging though!
Buying Advice: 😐 Good Nose. Disappointing Palate/Finish. Or maybe it's just me!
Colour: White Wine (Natural Colour)
Nose:
Please give this Teeling some time in the glass before Nosing to avoid the wafts of Alcohol. With time the Malt becomes more Mellow & Accessible. The Nose presents both Sweet and Sour notes and there's a Green feel to it. I'm not quite sure what Aromas to expect from Cognac/Brandy casks. But I get more Coconut than usual & there are some slightly "Burnt" notes as well. There's quite a lot of Fruit as well but more of the Fruitcake and Fruit Liqueur type. Not too bad and still Young & Fresh.
Main Aromas:
Sweet Barley, Vanilla, German Butter Biscuits, Honey, Coconut, Peach/Apricot filled Pastry, Green Apple, Pear, Soaked Raisins, Grass and Hay, Toasted Pineapple, Dusty Oak and Dough.
Supportive Aroma Accents:
Slightly Burnt Caramel, Banana, Citrus Peel, Mandarin, Grapefruit, Nectarine, Cake with Fresh Cream, Grappa, Fresh Green Herbs, Marzipan, Sour Berries, Cinnamon & Mint.
A mix of Sweet, Bitter and Sour notes and a hint of Salt. The Alcohol is noticeable by now and there's a light Burn. It misses a bit of the Freshness of the Nose and it also becomes slightly Unbalanced. A little disappointing after the simple but not unpleasant Nose.
Main Flavours:
Toasted and Malted Barley, slightly Burnt Caramel, Vanilla, Fruit Cake with a mix of Orchard - and Tropical Fruit and topped with Cream, Grass and Hay, Fresh and Dried Herbs, Dough, Yeast, Dusty Charred Oak, Pepper, Ginger and Cloves.
Supportive Flavour Accents:
Honey, Buttered Toast, Grappa, Citrus Peel, Bitter Orange and Grapefruit, Nougat, Wax, Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Mint/Menthol.
Finish:
Middle Long. Sweet at first but with increasing Bitterness towards the Medium-Dry end. This Bitterness starts to control the other flavors after the second sip and the Alcohol is more noticeable as well at this point. The Fruit is still there but it moved to the background and lost a bit of the quality I found on the Nose. I get Toasted & Malted Barley, slightly Burnt Caramel, Toffee, Vanilla, Buttered Toast, Honey, Green Apple, Pear, Citrus Peel, Mandarin, Bitter Orange, Coconut, Nougat, Grappa, Sour Berries, Grass and Hay, Dusty Oak, Pepper, Nutmeg, Ginger and Mint/Menthol.
Drinking Advice:
Due to the size of the sample I only tasted this Teeling neat.
Conclusion:
In 1989, John Teeling started the Cooley Distillery together with his sons Jack and Stephen. John sold the distillery in 2011 to Beam-Suntory. Part of the agreement was that Teeling retained 16.000 casks of maturing Cooley Whiskey. In 2012, Jack and Stephen founded Teeling Whiskey Company, bottling the Cooley casks under the Teeling label. Subsequently they founded a new distillery in the year 2015 in Dublin but also continue to bottle the sourced Cooley casks that have aged sufficiently.
Honey, Buttered Toast, Grappa, Citrus Peel, Bitter Orange and Grapefruit, Nougat, Wax, Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Mint/Menthol.
Middle Long. Sweet at first but with increasing Bitterness towards the Medium-Dry end. This Bitterness starts to control the other flavors after the second sip and the Alcohol is more noticeable as well at this point. The Fruit is still there but it moved to the background and lost a bit of the quality I found on the Nose. I get Toasted & Malted Barley, slightly Burnt Caramel, Toffee, Vanilla, Buttered Toast, Honey, Green Apple, Pear, Citrus Peel, Mandarin, Bitter Orange, Coconut, Nougat, Grappa, Sour Berries, Grass and Hay, Dusty Oak, Pepper, Nutmeg, Ginger and Mint/Menthol.
Drinking Advice:
Due to the size of the sample I only tasted this Teeling neat.
Rating: 7 (*******)
Nose: 7.5 - Taste: 7 - Finish: 6.5
*** Important Note with respect to Rating.
A few of my loyal readers have pointed out that every once in a while my final Rating note did not seem to be totally in line with the written text. I recognize that. When I started this Whisky Blog back in 2011, I was not at all experienced in tasting and scoring Single Malts & Blends. Looking back I realize that during the early years I probably scored the good Whiskies too low and the not so good Whiskies too high. Ever since the beginning I try to remain consequent in my rating, always comparing the outcome to the rating of comparable whiskies in terms of quality and taste and adjusting the final rating if necessary. This might lead to the discrepancy I mentioned before. As a result I have decided to use a new rating system this year. I will still give a rating for Nose, Taste and Finish but now on the scale from 1-10 whereby 1 represents the worst and 10 the best. The sum of these numbers will be divided by 3 to get the final score. I hope this new scoring makes it easier for you to understand what I thought about the whisky I'm reviewing.
If the Final score is above 8 you can safely buy the whisky in question if and when it fits your Aroma/Flavor profile. If the score is between 6 and 8 you might want to try it out in the form of a sample or if offered at a good price. Anything below 6 should be left alone when you are looking for a nice sipping whisky. You might still like it of course & I realize pricing is an important item for many whisky fans especially when you are used to enjoy whisky in a cocktail or a mixed drink. Please let me know what you think of the new rating system and leave your comments and/or suggestions.
Drinking Experience Neat: Okay/Good
Conclusion:
In 1989, John Teeling started the Cooley Distillery together with his sons Jack and Stephen. John sold the distillery in 2011 to Beam-Suntory. Part of the agreement was that Teeling retained 16.000 casks of maturing Cooley Whiskey. In 2012, Jack and Stephen founded Teeling Whiskey Company, bottling the Cooley casks under the Teeling label. Subsequently they founded a new distillery in the year 2015 in Dublin but also continue to bottle the sourced Cooley casks that have aged sufficiently.
The Teeling Revival Series I-V was introduced to celebrate the new distillery and the Revival of Irish Whiskey in general.
Why is it that I almost always have a difficult time when reviewing Irish Whiskey? Today is not an exception I'm afraid. This Teeling presents a pleasant Nose but the Palate and Finish suffer from ever increasing Bitterness and Sharp Alcohol. I also miss Balance in the latter two departments. The Spirit is Fruity by nature so we need to look at the casks to explain this Bitterness. I suspect the Spirit matured in 2nd and/or 3 Re-Fill Bourbon casks with a rather short Finish in the Cognac/Brandy casks. Perhaps it's just me but I prefer Creedence Clearwater!
Cheers! 🥃
====================================================
”Teeling Alright”
Whisky Review # 978
Country: Ireland 🇮🇪
Brand: Teeling Revival - Volume I
Bottled/Distilled/Matured for: Teeling Whiskey Company - 10.000 bottles
Distilled at: Undisclosed. Probably Ex-Cooley casks
Distilled at: Undisclosed. Probably Ex-Cooley casks
Type: Single Malt Whiskey
Age: 15 Years
Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 46% (Triple-Distilled)
Maturation: Ex-Bourbon casks with Finish in Rum barrels
Chill Filtration: No
Maturation: Ex-Bourbon casks with Finish in Rum barrels
Chill Filtration: No
Sample provided by Jan from The Netherlands. Many Thanks!
Average Price: US$ 250-280 (February 2023)
Price/Quality Ratio: 👎 Way too expensive for what it offers
Price/Quality Ratio: 👎 Way too expensive for what it offers
Buying Advice: 👎 It's not bad but ridiculously expensive for an Okay Whisky.
Colour: Golden Sunlight (Natural Colour)
Nose:
Today's second Teeling also needs some time in the glass before Nosing to avoid the initial wafts of Alcohol. You need patience with this 15 Years old as well as it takes time before it releases its Aromas. And even so it remains quite timid. The Rum cask influence is limited. The Nose is mainly Sweet, accompanied by some Sour and Green notes. It's certainly not bad but not overly interesting as well. The Alcohol remains noticeable.
Colour: Golden Sunlight (Natural Colour)
Nose:
Today's second Teeling also needs some time in the glass before Nosing to avoid the initial wafts of Alcohol. You need patience with this 15 Years old as well as it takes time before it releases its Aromas. And even so it remains quite timid. The Rum cask influence is limited. The Nose is mainly Sweet, accompanied by some Sour and Green notes. It's certainly not bad but not overly interesting as well. The Alcohol remains noticeable.
Main Aromas:
Sweet Toasted Barley, Vanilla, Caramel, A mix of Tropical and Citrus Fruit like Unripe Banana, Mandarin, Toasted Pineapple, Papaya, Lemon and Grapefruit, Grass & Hay, Fresh Green Herbs, Dusty Oak, Pepper and Ginger.
Supportive Aroma Accents:
Toffee, Honey, Buttered Toast, Coconut, Rum-Soaked Raisins, Green Apple, Floral notes, Cinnamon and Mint/Menthol.
Palate:
A mix of Sweet, Bitter and Sour notes with a sprinkle of Salt added. It starts Sweet but the Bitterness increases along the way, something I'm not too fond of. Vanilla, Malt and a mix of Tropical Fruits lead the way until at least partly absorbed by the Bitterness. The Rum cask is more noticeable and the Alcohol remains present.
Main Flavours:
Sweet Toasted Barley, Vanilla, Burnt Caramel, A Fruity mix of Unripe Banana, Pear, Papaya, Toasted Pineapple, Melon, Lemon, Grapefruit and Nectarine, Grass & Hay, Coconut, Pepper and Ginger.
Sweet Toasted Barley, Vanilla, Caramel, A mix of Tropical and Citrus Fruit like Unripe Banana, Mandarin, Toasted Pineapple, Papaya, Lemon and Grapefruit, Grass & Hay, Fresh Green Herbs, Dusty Oak, Pepper and Ginger.
Supportive Aroma Accents:
Toffee, Honey, Buttered Toast, Coconut, Rum-Soaked Raisins, Green Apple, Floral notes, Cinnamon and Mint/Menthol.
A mix of Sweet, Bitter and Sour notes with a sprinkle of Salt added. It starts Sweet but the Bitterness increases along the way, something I'm not too fond of. Vanilla, Malt and a mix of Tropical Fruits lead the way until at least partly absorbed by the Bitterness. The Rum cask is more noticeable and the Alcohol remains present.
Main Flavours:
Sweet Toasted Barley, Vanilla, Burnt Caramel, A Fruity mix of Unripe Banana, Pear, Papaya, Toasted Pineapple, Melon, Lemon, Grapefruit and Nectarine, Grass & Hay, Coconut, Pepper and Ginger.
Supportive Flavour Accents:
Honey, Wax, Salt, White and Brown Sugar, Tutti-Frutti Bubble-Gum, Cake & Cream, Bitter Almonds, Fresh Green Herbs, Cinnamon and a hint of White Chocolate.
Finish:
Middle-Long and slightly Hot. A noticeable Bitterness towards the Medium-Dry end. The Rum cask is more present now. I also find Sweet Toasted Barley, Vanilla, Caramel, White and Brown Sugar, Unripe Banana, Pineapple, Lemon, Grapefruit, Pear, Green Apple, Grass and Hay, Pepper, Ginger, Cinnamon and a hint of White Chocolate and Tutti-Frutti Bubble-Gum.
Drinking Advice:
Due to the size of the sample I only tasted this Teeling neat.
Conclusion:
In 1989, John Teeling started the Cooley Distillery together with his sons Jack and Stephen. John sold the distillery in 2011 to Beam-Suntory. Part of the agreement was that Teeling retained 16.000 casks of ageing Cooley Whiskey. In 2012, Jack and Stephen founded Teeling Whiskey Company, bottling the Cooley casks under the Teeling label. Subsequently they founded a new distillery in the year 2015 in Dublin but also continue to bottle the sourced Cooley casks that have aged sufficiently.
Honey, Wax, Salt, White and Brown Sugar, Tutti-Frutti Bubble-Gum, Cake & Cream, Bitter Almonds, Fresh Green Herbs, Cinnamon and a hint of White Chocolate.
Middle-Long and slightly Hot. A noticeable Bitterness towards the Medium-Dry end. The Rum cask is more present now. I also find Sweet Toasted Barley, Vanilla, Caramel, White and Brown Sugar, Unripe Banana, Pineapple, Lemon, Grapefruit, Pear, Green Apple, Grass and Hay, Pepper, Ginger, Cinnamon and a hint of White Chocolate and Tutti-Frutti Bubble-Gum.
Drinking Advice:
Due to the size of the sample I only tasted this Teeling neat.
Rating: 6.5 (******1/2)
Nose: 7 - Taste: 6.5 - Finish: 6.5
*** Important Note with respect to Rating.
A few of my loyal readers have pointed out that every once in a while my final Rating note did not seem to be totally in line with the written text. I recognize that. When I started this Whisky Blog back in 2011, I was not at all experienced in tasting and scoring Single Malts & Blends. Looking back I realize that during the early years I probably scored the good Whiskies too low and the not so good Whiskies too high. Ever since the beginning I try to remain consequent in my rating, always comparing the outcome to the rating of comparable whiskies in terms of quality and taste and adjusting the final rating if necessary. This might lead to the discrepancy I mentioned before. As a result I have decided to use a new rating system as of today. I will still give a rating for Nose, Taste and Finish but now on the scale from 1-10 whereby 1 represents the worst and 10 the best. The sum of these numbers will be divided by 3 to get the final score. I hope this new scoring makes it easier for you to understand what I thought about the whisky I'm reviewing.
If the Final score is above 8 you can safely buy the whisky in question if and when it fits your Aroma/Flavor profile. If the score is between 6 and 8 you might want to try it out in the form of a sample or if offered at a good price. Anything below 6 should be left alone when you are looking for a nice sipping whisky. You might still like it of course & I realize pricing is an important item for many whisky fans especially when you are used to enjoy whisky in a cocktail or a mixed drink. Please let me know what you think of the new rating system and leave your comments and/or suggestions.
Drinking Experience Neat: Okay
Conclusion:
In 1989, John Teeling started the Cooley Distillery together with his sons Jack and Stephen. John sold the distillery in 2011 to Beam-Suntory. Part of the agreement was that Teeling retained 16.000 casks of ageing Cooley Whiskey. In 2012, Jack and Stephen founded Teeling Whiskey Company, bottling the Cooley casks under the Teeling label. Subsequently they founded a new distillery in the year 2015 in Dublin but also continue to bottle the sourced Cooley casks that have aged sufficiently.
The Teeling Revival Series I-V was introduced to celebrate the new distillery and the Revival of Irish Whiskey in general.
The 12 Years was not great but at least Fresh and slightly interesting. This 15 Years however is very Average, a bit Tired and a bit Boring. And that simply does not justify its High-End price despite the beautiful presentation and bottle. If I have to choose between the two I easily go with the 12 years but both are not among my preferred Irish Whiskies such as the Redbreast 12 and the Yellow Spot 12.
Cheers! 🥃
