Teeling Aquavit Cask Small Batch

Teeling Aquavit Cask Small Batch, NAS, 46 %

I believe this is the very first Irish whiskey finished in ex-aquavit casks. The whiskey is the regular Teeling Small Batch blended whiskey which is finished in ex-aquavit cask from Oslo Håndverksdestilleri (OHD) for close to a year. OHD is a small craft distillery located in Oslo, Norway.

The Teeling Aquavit Cask Small Batch is for sale in Norway at NOK 700 (13512501).

Nose: Caraway and vanilla. Spicy oakiness. Then lighter notes of apple, pear, citrus, green herbs and white sugar. The aquavit cask has certainly had a marked influence on the nose here - and it is working fairly well. With time more fresh, green apples and hints of vanilla and eucalyptus.

Taste: Medium body. Creamy notes of vanilla and apple pie - and fizzy, spicy notes of ginger, citrus, caraway and green herbs.

Finish: Medium long finish. The fruitiness dissipates, the level of sweetness and spices is fairly stable, and the green notes become more prominent. Rich and creamy up until the end, when it suddenly dips and becomes minty and dry.

Comment: Ireland meets Norway and the result is a success in my book.

Score 86/100

Sláinte!
-Thomas