Last Updated on: 11th June 2024, 01:03 am
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.
Discover everything to know about the Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey in this in-depth review that answers all your related questions!
Reviewed by: J Highland
Teeling Small Batch: A Bold Irish Whiskey with a Grassy Hint (for Exploratory Sippers)
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Teeling Small Batch breaks the mold of the typical smooth and easy-drinking Irish whiskey. It offers a richer and more complex flavor profile, making it a good choice for adventurous whiskey drinkers, states spirits expert Neil Coleman.
More Body and Complexity
This Irish whiskey stands out for its robust and full-bodied character, a welcome change from some lighter Irish whiskeys. It delivers a richer and more complex sipping experience.
A Touch of Grass
The use of grain whiskey in the mash bill introduces a slightly grassy note to Teeling Small Batch. While noticeable, it’s not overpowering.
Slightly Bitter Finish
The finish of Teeling Small Batch can be a bit bitter for some palates.
Good Value for Exploration
Despite the slightly bitter finish, Teeling Small Batch offers a good value for its price. It’s a good choice for those looking to explore Irish whiskey beyond the usual suspects like Jameson or Bushmills.
Worth a Try, But Not a Must-Have
While enjoyable for a change, Teeling Small Batch might not be a top choice for everyone. It’s worth a try for curious drinkers, but perhaps not an everyday dram.
- Related: Top Irish Whiskeys under $50
- Learn more: Teeling Small Batch Website
What’s unique about this whiskey?
- This is a blended whiskey, matured in bourbon casks, with no age statement.
- Made from grain and malt using a 3:1 ratio respectively
- The blend is finished in Flor de Caña rum casks for 6 months before bottling.
- Triple-distilled.
- Unfiltered.
- This whiskey brand is one of the rare few that remains Irish-owned, as a significant portion of the industry has been taken over by foreign conglomerates.
How does it taste?
- Nose: Honey, cinnamon, apple
- Palate: Honey, ginger, cinnamon, malt
- Finish: Ripe fruit, bitter
- Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
- Similar to: Green Spot
The nose presents itself admirably, revealing a rich honeyed note, accompanied by hints of cinnamon and apple.
On the palate, Teeling exhibits a respectable body, offering a satisfying mouthfeel.
The flavor profile leans towards sweetness, with pronounced honey and ginger at the forefront, gradually transitioning to notes of cinnamon, malt, and a subtle touch of toasted oak.
The finish carries a slight dryness with a hint of bitterness, while rum sweetness endeavors to restore balance.
Remarkably, despite its 92 proof (46% ABV), there is minimal to no perceptible warmth.
How does it rank?
These are my rankings:
| Whiskey | Rank |
| Redbreast 12 | 82 |
| Green Spot | 82 |
| Connemara Peated Single Malt | 77 |
| Slane Triple Cask | 76 |
| Writers’ Tear Copper Pot | 76 |
| Bushmills Peaky Blinders | 72 |
| Teeling Small Batch | 70 |
| Tyrconnell Single Malt | 70 |
It ranks much higher than whiskeys like Jameson or Tullamore DEW but short of the top of the mid-shelf Irish Whiskeys.
FAQ: Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey
A quick FAQ to address your inquiries:
Drinking Guide
- Add water: Adding water releases a bit of caramel and makes the finish less bitter.
- Cocktail preference: It sits at a price that makes it suitable for making cocktails. Mixing it with ginger ale complements the whiskey’s bitter note nicely.
Awards & Accolades
- Gold Medal 91 points (outstanding) by the Beverage Tasting Institute.
- Best Irish Whiskey in the 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
- Double Gold Medal at the World Whiskies Awards 2015.
Alternatives
- Consider trying the Bushmills Peaky Blinders, which is surprisingly good despite being a celebrity-inspired whiskey.
- It offers a great option at an attractive price.
Pricing Guide
- United States: $36
- Canada: $52
- Britain: £34
- Australia: $72
- Ireland: €40
Alcohol content
- It has an alcohol content of 92 proof (46% ABV), which is higher than the standard 80 proof (40% ABV) of most Irish whiskeys, providing a richer experience.
Aging
- It is first matured in bourbon barrels for around 7 years and later finished for 6 months in ex-Flor de Caña casks, which is a Central American rum.
Where is it made?
- It is crafted at the Teeling Distillery, which opened in 2015, making it the first distillery to open in Dublin in 125 years.
Who owns it?
- Teeling is owned by Jack and Stephen Teeling.
Does it expire?
- No, liquor doesn’t expire.
- It will last for years if you store it in a cool place away from sunlight.
- However, it’s recommended to drink it once the content is down to 25% as liquors may develop awkward notes beyond this level.
Storage
- Store it in a cool place away from sunlight and keep the bottle upright without coming into contact with the stopper.
How is it made?
- Teeling Small Batch is crafted by blending together select casks of grain and malt Whiskey.
- It is aged in traditional bourbon casks for up to seven years before being finished for six months in casks that were previously used to mature rum.
- It is bottled at 92 proof without the use of chill filtration, providing a full-bodied and flavorful experience.
How did I review Teeling Small Batch?
I run a pub and a liquor store, granting me extensive access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller.
My evaluations include my insights and feedback from customers and patrons and whiskey expert opinions from Neil Coleman who has been for decades in the liquor business.
I also corroborate my views with online research to ensure accuracy.
Our ratings are determined primarily by four key factors: aroma, taste, finish, and value for money. While we do consider packaging, it is of lesser importance to us, as we prioritize the quality of the liquid inside over the aesthetics of the bottle.
⭐ – Poor, ⭐⭐ – Average, ⭐⭐⭐ – Good, ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Very Good, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Excellent.
Teeling Small Batch: Specs
| Type of Whisky | Pot Still |
| Age statement | No |
| Proof | 80 |
| ABV | 40% |
| Is it good? | Yes |
| Is it top-shelf? | No |
| Does it expire? | No |
| Sweet? | Yes |
| Warm? | No |
| Peaty? | No |
| Good for beginners? | Not the best |
| Good for cocktails? | No |
| Good with Coke? | No |
| Calories per shot | 108 |
| Gluten-free | Yes |
| Keto-friendly | Yes |
| Kosher | Yes |