Review #: 163
Description: Teeling Single Cask 16 Year Calvados Finish: Fine Wine and Good Spirits
Spirit: Irish Whiskey
Background: More Teeling Single casks (which I am not upset about). This was one selected by PA State Liquor stores Fine Wine and Good Spirits. This one was aged for 16 years and finished in a Calvados cask, which is apple or pear brandy made in Normandy, France. I’m excited so let’s dive in.
Distillery – Cooley
Bottler – Teeling
Brand – Teeling
Selection – Fine Wine and Good Spirits
ABV – 54.6%
Age – 16 Years
Nose – Apple cider immediately hits, honeycomb, caramel, ginger, cinnamon, brown sugar, graham crackers. Basically think of an apple focused baked good and this is what it smells like
Taste – Caramel, brown sugar, cinnamon syrup, cooked apples (but it’s a bit muted by the sweetness),
Finish – Lot of toasted malt comes in, little nutty, some leather, shortbread, toasted marshmallow
Score: 5
Would I buy a bottle? No
Thoughts: Ah, this was such a letdown. Not even because I’ve loved all the previous Teeling Single Casks I’ve tried, but the nose on this was so enticing. I LOVE pastries, and smelling this whiskey was so bready and sweet and fruity, I was imagining myself eating an apple danish. The taste just ended up being a bit general and overly sweet (which I’m normally ok with having a sweet tooth but it just wasn’t doing it for me) and the finish was surprisingly light and short given the proof. This drank closer to 45% and felt like it lacked complexity. I liked the influence from the cask so I hope producers can use them so I can find another that the spirit develops better with.