Teeling is now officially back on the Irish whiskey landscape, and so is Dublin! Teeling’s distillery is the first to open in 125 years in the Irish capital (hence the byname ‘The Revival’). In order to celebrate this special occasion, they released the Teeling 15 Years Old The Revival, a single malt entirely matured in ex-rum barrels. Yeah, you read right.  No finish, but a full 15 years in barrels that previously held not further specified rum.

Facts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:	Teeling 15 Years Old The Revival
Vintage:	1999
Bottled:	October 2015
Age:	15 Years Old
Category:	Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Cask Type:	Ex-Rum Barrels
No. of Bottles:	10,000
Strength:	46.0% vol.
Colored:	No
Chill Filtered:	No

Nose

Tropical fruits galore! Pineapples, papayas, mangoes and banana chips, combined with lots and lots of cane sugar. With some time, vanilla comes to light, together with apples, orange zest and a whiff of cinnamon. The rum influence is there, but it’s rather subtle and definitely not overpowering.

Taste

The arrival on the palate is unexpected dry and the alcohol is a bit too sharp at first. The rum influence is way more noticeable now. Peaches, pineapples, overripe bananas and dried cherries, along with cane sugar and hints of vanilla.

Finish

Rather medium than long with a drying warmth. Oily and spicy with a fruity touch.

Overall

Don’t expect a heavy rum monster, despite the super long maturation in ex-rum barrels. This is a very fine Irish whiskey with a lovely fruitiness  and a distinctive, but not overdone rum touch. Only the finish could use a little more finesse.

Score: 86 / 100