1901
Teeling Single Pot Still
Single Pot Still — Ireland
Reviewed
August 1, 2021 (edited April 4, 2023)
I visited the Teeling distillery last month, took in a tour (self-guided these days), and I got to sample this spirit and take some home. The overall impression of this single pot still is of a spirit too young yet to be considered good.
The nose appears very young, grainy and chemically (is it the feints that smell more like that?). In addition to apples and superglue, I get a bit of a farmyard smell and detect grass and hay like the Distiller tasting notes highlight. It hits the palate hot and peppery, which is not unusual for a pot still whiskey. But I don't get much else other than a hot, young spirit - it could just as well be tequila. There is no finesse. You won’t find comparisons to John’s Lane or Redbreast. It is very much like a new make; a poitín taste.
Who knows what the years will bring to this but for now I just think it's mediocre.
Create Account
or
Sign in
to comment on this review
I tasted this again today in Dublin airport. The more recent release seemed a good step up compared to what I previously had. Apparently it is now approximately 6yo.
@JDeschain just read your review and we seem to have had a very similar experience with this one. It sells for €55 here, and the RB and JL go for €60 and €65 respectively. As you say in your review the value isn’t there and the others are well worth the few coins more. You mentioned that the Small Batch is better than this. I agree and would add that their other standard NAS releases (Single Grain and Single Malt) are better too. Teeling have built a good rep based on their releases and special finishes of old stock from other distilleries, so I’m disappointed their own distillate didn’t match up to that (yet)
'I came here to write a review and saw yours. I agree. Without reading your review, my first thought when nosing this whiskey was "This smells like a tequila!" It's got an earthiness that reminds me of a tehona-style blanco tequila. You're right, this is way to young to be sold for near the same price as Redbreast 12 and John's Lane.
Ah interesting i thought all the recent stuff was theirs as their distillery has been open a while now eh? So far i have not been a fan at all lower end stuff but haven't tried the pot still yet.
@WhiskyWitch i have and I liked it well enough. Taste is on the sweet side given and it is not very complex from start to finish. But it’s very friendly. AFAIK the single pot still is the only whiskey they have distilled themselves, which I hope is not the main difference in perceived quality.
I'm surprised! Have you tried the single grain? I haven't, but curious.
Mediocre. I might start using this list of one word ratings from here on :) https://today.yougov.com/topics/lifestyle/articles-reports/2018/10/11/how-good-good