Well hey there, Friend. Thought I vanished off the face of the Earth? — guess not, huh? Hope life's been treatin' ya good.

Now, today we're takin' a little stroll through the Emerald Isle, checkin' out a proper Irish whiskey. That's right, we got ourselves a bottle o' single pot still magic straight outta Teeling Distillery, right smack in the heart of Dublin. Fancy stuff, y'know?

I'll babble a bit about the distillery—where it came from, what makes it tick—then I'll lay down my take on the whiskey itself. Tasting notes, the good, the bad, and the downright tasty. And yeah, I'll slap a score on it too, 'cause what's a review without a little judgment, right?

But before we go any further, please check out my previous reviews.🥃✅

About the distillery

Teeling Distillery, established in 2015 by brothers Jack and Stephen Teeling, marks the revival of whiskey production in Dublin after nearly 40 years. Located in the historic Liberties area, it's just a stone's throw from where their ancestor, Walter Teeling, opened a distillery on Marrowbone Lane in 1782—at the heart of Dublin's once-thriving "Golden Triangle" of distilling. The area was once home to over 37 distilleries, with giants like George Roe's Thomas Street Distillery dominating the global whiskey scene.

In the 20th century, the Irish whiskey industry suffered major decline. John Teeling, the brothers' father, challenged the existing monopoly in 1987 by founding Cooley Distillery in County Louth, converting a former industrial alcohol plant into a whiskey facility. This move was pivotal in reviving independent Irish whiskey production.

When Cooley was sold to Beam Inc. (now Suntory Global Spirits) in 2011, the Teelings retained 16,000 casks of aged whiskey. Jack Teeling launched the Teeling Whiskey Company in 2012, joined later by Stephen. Their ambition culminated in the opening of the Newmarket-based Teeling Distillery in 2015—the first new distillery in Dublin in over 125 years. In 2023, Bacardi Limited acquired a majority stake in the company.

The brand's phoenix emblem rising from a pot still symbolizes both family heritage and the rebirth of Dublin whiskey.

Teeling distills all its whiskey on-site in Dublin using traditional Irish methods with a modern twist. The process begins with grains sourced primarily from Irish farmers. Their mash bill varies: the small batch blends 50% malt and 50% grain, the Single Malt uses 100% malted barley, and the Single Grain features a mix of unmalted Irish grain and French corn.

A standout feature of the distillery is its wet mill, which injects water during grinding. This innovation reduces dust and improves safety, setting it apart from conventional dry milling systems.

Water for production is drawn from an underground river flowing beneath the distillery—a local resource that adds a unique character to the spirit.

Triple distillation is done on three custom-designed copper pot stills, true to Irish tradition. The stills are wide and flat with conical bases, reminiscent of historic equipment like those seen in Midleton's museum. Distillation reaches strengths of 80–90%, resulting in a cleaner yet slightly spicier spirit than column-still whiskey, owing to the stills' shape and dimensions.

All Teeling whiskey matures in warehouses in Greenore, a coastal town north of Dublin known for its maritime climate and deep-water port. Casks are aged upright on pallets, exposed to mild winters and cool summers that promote slow, even maturation.

Teeling embraces innovation in cask finishing, using a wide array of barrels including rum, red wine, and fortified wine casks like sherry and port. This approach enriches their whiskey with diverse layers of flavor and aroma. The variety of large, uniquely shaped casks seen in their warehouses is a testament to this experimentation.

Notably, Teeling avoids chill-filtration and artificial coloring, bottling at 46% ABV or higher to maintain natural character and prevent clouding when water or ice is added.

The core range

• Small Batch: A 50/50 malt and grain blend, matured in ex-bourbon and finished in Central American rum casks. Notes of vanilla, dried fruit, spice, and toffee.

• Single Grain: Made from unmalted grains (Irish barley and French corn), fully matured in Californian red wine casks. Expect juicy red berries, caramel, and toasted oak.

• Single Malt: Crafted from whiskeys aged in five wine cask types: sherry, port, Madeira, white Burgundy, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Rich and complex, with honey, figs, and spice.

• Single Pot Still: A true Irish classic, made from a traditional mix of malted and unmalted barley and matured in a trio of virgin oak, ex-bourbon, and sherry casks. Creamy, spicy, and full-bodied.

Teeling Single Pot Still - Natural Color, Non-chill filtered, 46%

"The first Whiskey to be distilled in Dublin in nearly 50 years, our Single Pot Still pays homage to a Dublin style made famous by the old, now closed, Dublin Whiskey Distilleries.

Teeling Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is crafted using a uniquely Irish mash bill consisting of 50% malted and 50% unmalted barley that has been triple distilled and matured in a combination of American Virgin Oak, Bourbon, and Sherry casks.

This is not how everyone makes Irish Whiskey – it's the Teeling way. That's the Spirit of Dublin."

Nose: Fresh and lively, with vibrant green apple, quince, and underripe banana leading the charge. Soft florals (lavender, violets), crushed mint, and citrus zest add freshness, while notes of cereal grain, parsley, and a hint of vanilla hint at its pot still DNA. A subtle backbone of oak and dried fruit peeks through—whispers of sherry and bourbon cask influence—but the youth is apparent in its green twigs and garden herb character.

Palate: Creamy and textured with peaches, poached pears, and sweet honey up front. Mid-palate brings spice—white pepper, ginger, allspice—and a malty richness like cooked grains and nougat. A wave of grassy brightness and a touch of lemon tartness arrive with more floral lift. There's a raw, youthful energy here—coarse but charismatic—with evolving notes of caramel, white chocolate, and even a flicker of lavender candy.

Finish: Dry and quick, but flavorful. Fresh fruit lingers—pear skins, grapefruit zest—alongside subtle oak, muscovado sugar, and roasted coffee. Earthy hints of straw and hay settle in late, giving a rustic, grounded ending. Not a long finish, but it leaves a clean, spicy fade that invites another sip.

The Teeling Single Pot Still is a bold and youthful dram that wears its raw edges with pride. It's unapologetically green and grain-forward, showcasing fresh orchard fruits, herbs, and a floral lift that nods to both its Irish heritage and its experimental spirit. While the nose and palate brim with freshness and character—think green apples, poached pears, mint, and lavender—the whiskey's youth is still very much present in its lean structure and shorter finish.

The cask influence is subtle, more a supporting act than a headline, with bourbon bringing vanilla creaminess and sherry adding soft depth without overwhelming the distillate. It's a whiskey that speaks of potential—rough in places, but full of identity and charm. For those who appreciate vibrant, cereal-rich Irish whiskey with a modern edge, this is a fascinating bottle. Not flawless, but honest—and that's part of the journey. I rate this 6.7/10. Buy it, try it. Drink responsibly.

Some of the photos featured in this article are not my own; I've credited the original owners. All other images bearing my logo were taken and are owned by me.

Feel free to check out the scores and rankings I've given to each whisky I reviewed.

Thanks for reading—I hope you enjoyed it! Here's to many more drams. Sláinte!

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