Teeling vs Green Spot: Whiskey Comparison

Last Updated on: 12th April 2024, 01:34 pm

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 the differences between Teeling vs Green Spot in this head-to-head comparison and decide which Irish Whiskey is better for You!

Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.

Written by: J Highland

Teeling vs Green Spot: Which to Buy?

Teeling Small Batch: A smooth Irish whiskey with a hint of rum influence, featuring flavors of honey, ginger, and cinnamon. It’s non-chill-filtered and triple-distilled, offering a unique taste with a dry, slightly bitter finish. Best enjoyed neat.

Green Spot: A balanced and smooth Irish whiskey with notes of apple, vanilla, and toasted cereal, complemented by a short cherry and citrus finish. Triple-distilled and aged in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, it’s best enjoyed neat.

Verdict: Both Teeling Small Batch and Green Spot offer distinct, enjoyable experiences. Teeling Small Batch stands out with its rum cask finish and spicy sweetness, perfect for those seeking a unique twist. Green Spot shines with its traditional smoothness and balanced fruity profile, catering to purists and newcomers alike. Each represents the best of Irish whiskey in its own right, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

Teeling Small Batch: A Smooth Irish Whiskey with a Rum Twist

Nose: Honey, cinnamon, apple
Palate: Honey, ginger, cinnamon, malt
Finish: Ripe fruit, bitter
Alcohol content: 92 proof (463% ABV)
How to drink: Add water
Similar to: Jameson

Sweet Aroma, Smooth Taste:

Teeling Small Batch opens with a delightful aroma of honey, hinting at cinnamon and apple. On the palate, it’s smooth and medium-bodied, offering a pleasant mouthfeel. Honey and ginger flavors take center stage, followed by subtle notes of cinnamon, malt, and toasted oak.

Dry Finish with a Rum Hint:

The finish leans dry with a touch of bitterness, trying to balance the lingering sweetness that reminds you of rum. The 46% ABV (alcohol by volume) is surprisingly smooth, lacking a strong burning sensation.

Enjoyable Neat, Water Doesn’t Change Much:

Teeling is best enjoyed neat, as adding water doesn’t significantly alter the flavor profile. While there’s a slight graininess due to the 3:1 grain to malt ratio, the 6-month rum cask finish adds a unique twist.

More Than Average Irish Whiskey:

Overall, Teeling surpasses the average Irish whiskey in its price range. It’s a good, smooth whiskey with a unique rum influence, though it might not leave a lasting impression.

Bonus Facts:

Teeling is non-chill-filtered, preserving its natural flavors.
It’s triple-distilled for a smooth taste.
Teeling is made in Dublin’s first new distillery in over 125 years, owned by the Teeling brothers.
Teeling is one of the few remaining Irish-owned distilleries in an industry dominated by foreign companies.

Green Spot: A Smooth and Balanced Irish Whiskey

Nose: Apple, vanilla, caramel, oak
Palate: Toasted cereal, pear, oak, spicy grass
Finish: Cherry, citrus
Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink: Neat
Similar to: Redbreast 12

Green Spot offers a rich and inviting aroma of apple, vanilla, caramel, and subtle oak. The creamy texture on the palate complements a delightful mix of toasted cereal, pear, sherry, oak, spicy grass, and a hint of iodine. The finish, though short, leaves a pleasant cherry and citrus aftertaste.

Great for:

Fans of smooth and balanced Irish whiskeys.
Those who enjoy a combination of sweet and spicy notes with a subtle oak character.

Things to keep in mind:

Short finish compared to some other whiskies.
Lacks the perceptible warmth some prefer.

Green Spot is known for its smoothness and easy-drinking nature without any harsh flavors. It may be enjoyed neat, without the need for water or ice.

Additional facts:

Made with malted and unmalted barley and triple-distilled in copper pot stills.
Aged up to 8 years in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks.
One of the few remaining bonded Irish whiskeys.
Owned by Mitchell & Sons and crafted at the Jameson Distillery.