Teeling Brabazon Bottling Series 01

Teeling Brabazon Bottling Series 01, NAS, 49,5 %

Today I am looking at an exciting new product from Irish distillery Teeling. The Teeling Brabazon Bottling Series 01 was released just before the summer. Here is the official blurb about the release:

"This first release in the Brabazon Bottling series focuses on the maturation effect of ex-sherry casks on the character and flavour of Irish Single Malt. By choosing a complementary range of vintages, sizes and styles of sherry cask matured Single Malt whiskey, the Brabazon Series No. 1 captures all the layers and aspects of flavour sherry casks can impart.

The Brabazon Bottlings are bottled at 49.5% with no chill filtration allowing for all the natural flavours of this whiskey to be retained. Series No. 1 is limited to 12,500 bottles and is presented in a new premium distinctive embossed and debossed Teeling whiskey bottle, rounding off a truly unique Irish whiskey to savour."

Then they continue by adding: "This bottling consists of a vatting of 6 different sherry casks, carefully chosen for their complementary character." Now this quote from the Teeling website is a little bit misleading. We are in fact not just talking about 6 different casks, that would not amount to anything near 12,500 bottles. We are talking about 6 different cask types, and here are the details:

• 30 % 500 litre European oak sherry butt, with whiskey from 2005
• 30 % 500 litre European oak sherry butt, with whiskey from 2007
• 30 % 500 litre European oak sherry butt, with whiskey from 2008
• 2.5 % 220 litre PX sherry cask finish, with whiskey from 2002
• 2.5 % 220 litre Oloroso sherry cask finish, with whiskey from 2002
• 5 % 250 litre sherry hogshead, with whiskey from 2001

By my simple estimation then, we should have approximately 6, 6, 6, 1, 1, and 2 casks of these types respectively.

You can purchase a bottle of the Teeling Brabazon Bottling Series 01 at around GBP 57.

Nose: Soft sherry notes mixed with equally soft notes of oak and caramel. I also detect a fair bit of vanilla and notes of summer fruits. Red berries? Quite sweet and delicate on the nose. A hint of bicycle tire repair kit hiding in the background.

Taste: Soft and almost buttery mouthfeel. Quite rich character. There's a fair bit of peppery spiciness going on. Add some dark chocolate, honey and caramel and it's all sweet and pleasant.

Finish: Medium long finish. More traditional sherry matured notes now; the dried fruits are here, along with cinnamon, cardamom and creamy chocolate. Fairly nutty - unsalted peanuts and nutmeg. Hints of bitter oranges and oak on the finish line.

Comments: A solid and enjoyable dram. I would not necessarily approach this as a typical sherry cask matured whiskey, but rather just enjoy it on its own premises.

Score (87/100)

Sláinte! - Thomas