For such a high strength ABV offering this is quite a light experience.
Despite it’s full year in bourbon barrels – I didn’t pick up a noticeable bourbon influence. Truth is – I got more of a rum vibe going.
Those heavy – slightly burnt – molasses combined with rich dark brown demerara sweetness were actually more suited to the Narwhal & pirate ship motif displayed on the eye-catching can!
The most Northern point on the Island of Ireland is in what is often known as The South.
To access the political North from here you travel South.
TinCup American Whiskey proudly displays it’s Colorado heritage on the attractively embossed bottle – as well as the marketing story.
TinCup story. c/othewhiskeynut
The bulk of the whiskey is actually distilled in Indiana – blended & cut with some Colorado single malt & ‘Pure Rocky Mountain Water’.
So now that’s all clear – what was I doing in The North?
Simple really.
The North – being a different jurisdiction – stocks a more comprehensive & varied array of spirits than The South. Always keen to pick up something new & interesting I called in on an Asda supermarket on my travels & bagged this American Whiskey.
I like it! c/othewhiskeynut
The design is cool – the marketing is slick – it’s reasonably priced – it made my basket.
A rich golden brown hue with that classic candyfloss bourbon sweetness tempered by a sawdusty dry rye aroma greeted me.
The palate was relatively mellow – yet gradually opened up with smooth vanilla & gently growing peppery spices building to a gorgeously drying finish leaving a tingling prickliness dancing away.
I found the overall presentation of this whiskey extremely endearing & enticing.
The whiskey itself suitably matched the marketing.
A lovely combination of rugged rye & smooth bourbon – stories of the past & visions for the future.
After enjoying the delights of JG Kinsey Whisky – I pleasingly noticed the addition of a rum to the JG Kinsey range of spirits in my local Dunnes Stores.
JG Kinsey Rum c/othewhiskeynut
Offered in an attractive metallic blue – the whisky comes in green – ‘Product Of The Caribbean’ is all you’ll get as to the source of this spirit.
Clear colourless rum with good viscous legs.
A rather soft aroma with subtle hints of sweet fruity funk peeking through.
The palate is very smooth with a silky mouth coating feel. That fruity funk opens up a little developing a light peppery spice to provide the finishing flourish.
Caribbean Rum c/othewhiskeynut
Very easy drinking quietly exhibiting the attractive attributes I enjoy in a white rum.
Bottled in the UK by R Carmichael & Sons – a subsidiary of the giant InterBev group – years of blending experience shine through in this simply stated yet well delivered rum.
Whiskey has always been a journey of exploration for me. An exploration of tastes, styles & presentations.
Irish Whiskey travels all over the world. Some of the spirits produced in those countries consequently finds it’s way back to Ireland – like this baijiu.
Chinese Baijiu c/othewhiskeynut
Which I choose to explore.
Baijiu is mainly a sorghum based distillate produced in China. It has a long history – possibly longer than whiskey – and is as diverse too.
For a more detailed account I’d recommend the ScienceDirect.com article by clicking on the highlighted link.
This S100 bottle is a popular seller in China – & happens to be found in Dublin via Asia Market.
Outer packaging c/othewhiskeynut
The bottle itself is very catchy – unlike anything I’ve encountered in the whiskey world. A cutesy childlike image probably doesn’t sit well with age appropriate rules – but may have assisted sales in China.
The liquid is clear & colourless – much like our indigenous poitín.
The nose isn’t too dissimilar either – but more of a sweet & sour thing going on.
Sweet from the sorghum I presume & sour as in a new make kind of way.
The palate is light & refreshing. A wonderful mouth coating effect gave way to a depth of wholesome flavours that pulled me in.
There is a Gin Distillery in Liverpool – but as far as I know no whisky or rum is made there.
This pair of plainly – yet strikingly bold – labelled bottles would therefore be sourced spirits for the Liverpool brand who are in turn part of Halewood International.
The simple design appealed to me – along with the high age statements – so a couple of miniatures were ordered – via Just Miniatures.
12yo Single Malt c/othewhiskeynut
Liverpool Whisky, 12 Year Old, Small Batch, Single Malt, 46%
The whisky is light brown in colour with viscous legs.
A honeyed nose redolent of sweet summer fruits greeted me.
Soft, easy & inviting.
Back label c/othewhiskeynut
Quite a spirity little number – but possessing a decent depth of flavour & a lovely prickly spice on the finish.
A very nice single malt indeed.
16yo rum c/othewhiskeynut
Liverpool Rum, 16 Year Old, Small Batch, Single Cask, 43%
A deep golden brown – also with viscous legs.
Sweet caramelly nose with a hint of funk peeking through.
The palate was gentle & smooth. Layers of dark demerara coated the mouth before a growing oaky woodiness added drying tannic spice on the finish.
Back rum c/othewhiskeynut
These are both fine spirits.
You may not know who or where they were distilled – but they are certainly enjoyable to encounter!
Even before Teeling Whiskey Distillery opened in 2015, I eagerly attended a guided tour of the nascent facility by none other than master distiller & blender Alex Chasko himself.
Careful now! c/othewhiskeynut
I’ve been avidly watching the rebuilding of Irish Whiskey – especially the role Teeling plays in that growth – ever since.
Teeling’s 5th Anniversary took place during COVID – and like many events – moved online.
Online tasting c/othewhiskeynut
So instead of a lavish party inside the fabulous distillery itself – it was me, my computer & 5 samples of Teeling Whiskey made in that very distillery.
Alex Chasko was again present – along with brand ambassador Robert Caldwell – to regale us with tales of those 5 years. From a dream to reality, a building site to a fully functioning whiskey distillery and from brewing beer in Oregon to distilling whiskey in Dublin.
Welcome to the Bang Bang bar & Distillery Shop! c/othewhiskeynut
To date most of the Teeling bottles on the shelves are sourced product – and very good they are too!
Alex is responsible for maturing that stock, choosing the casks, finishing, blending and releasing a wide variety of styles & flavours.
Now before me are 5 differing samples drawn from casks distilled at Teeling’s Distillery in Dublin itself.
This is the dawning of a new age in Irish Whiskey.
So what does it taste like?
A trio of Single Pot Stills started the show. All triple distilled using a 50/50 malted/unmalted mashbill presented at 46%, non chill filtered & natural colour.
SPS Bourbon Cask c/othewhiskeynut
SPS Bourbon Cask
Immediately captivating!
The combination of rich vanillas, bourbon sweetness with a joyful youthfulness followed by an attractive prickly spice just won me over.
SPS Virgin c/othewhiskeynut
SPS Virgin Cask
A more tannic, sawdusty element with a sharper spice came through. Still enjoyable – if less balanced.
SPS Sherry c/othewhiskeynut
SPS Sherry Cask
Milder, mellower & more subtle & sweeter than the other 2. Not my favourite.
The 3 casks demonstrate the influence wood has on the whiskey. They also show the building blocks Alex uses to blend together to achieve a relatively consistent product for the Single Pot Still release which can iron out any excesses within the individual components.
A wonderful insight into the world of the blender.
Next came a duo of single malts – Crystal & Peated – which demonstrate the role raw ingredients play in developing flavour.
Crystal SM c/othewhiskeynut
Crystal Single Malt
Crystal malt is commonly used in craft beer circles to boost flavour, depth & colour. A throwback to Alex’s brewing days.
Crystal malt has been roasted for longer – allowing richer, darker flavours to come through.
I found a farmhousey saison type of nose, rich vanilla on the palate with a gorgeous spice on the finish.
Very attractive!
Peated SM c/othewhiskeynut
Peated Single Malt
Well anything with peat in it is a winner for me – and Teeling’s didn’t disappoint!
Very well balanced from start to finish.
A sheer delight!
A wonderful way to celebrate Teeling’s 5th Anniversary with such delicious whiskeys.
Having followed their growth along every step of the way it reassures me no end – the quality & diversity of whiskey being produced at Newmarket is a joy to experience.
Hats off to Teeling Whiskey – and all the team involved – Happy 5th Anniversary!
