Teeling 15 YO Aquavit Cask

Teeling 15 YO Aquavit Cask, 57.8 %

Irish whiskey meets Norwegian aquavit. This whiskey is bottled exclusively for Norway. It has spent an initial 14 years in ex-bourbon casks, then received a one year finish in an ex-aquavit cask from Oslo Håndverkdestilleri (cask #58829).

The Teeling 15 YO Aquavit Cask is available to buy in Norway at NOK 1300 (13512301).

Nose: Deep and rich notes of cut grass, caraway, creamy vanilla and orchard fruits. Tropical overtones. With time more green apple and tropical fruits, as well as clearer notes of aquavit spices - caraway of course being the stand out. Minty fresh as well. Very well integrated alcohol.

Taste: Full bodied and spicy. A feisty Irish dram this. Fizzy ginger, white pepper, Szechuan pepper, caraway, cardamom, and lemon zest. Mild oakiness, cut grass and green herbs. Very creamy and rich.

Finish: Medium to long finish. More dry in character now. Fizzy and feisty still. The fruitiness is less prominent. Caraway, aniseed, cardamom, nutmeg and white pepper. Still drier towards the end, and more herbal.

Comment: Remarkably complex and challenging (in a good way) for an Irish whiskey. I highly approve!

Score 88/100

Sláinte!
-Thomas