Teeling - Small Batch

Good day and Happy St. Patrick's Day. This is a day to celebrate all things Irish. I have actually been celebrating the Irish gifts to the whisky world for this entire month. St Patrick`s day is celebrated on what is believed to be the anniversary of the saints death. He is the Patron saint of Ireland, but really not a lot of his life is really known. He was a bishop of Ireland and it is believed he lived in about the 5th Century AD.What I found to be interesting today was that the saint used the three leaf clover to illustrate the concept of the holy trinity to the people of Ireland. I had never heard that before. As much as I love this day for its placement near the beginning of Spring and all its merry making I find that it has gone to a level of cheapness that doesn't really mean anything. Most people know little if anything about St. Patrick or Ireland. It seems to just be yet another day to buy cheap crap and get drunk. Just my two cents. 

For the actual day I figured I would raise a glass of something a little different: A rum cask whisky. According to the official website “This small batch bottling consists of hand selected casks which are given further maturation in ex-Flor de Cana Rum barrels”. I am a huge fan of the Flor de Cana rums and am eager to try my first rum cask whisky. 

For musical inspiration I have chosen the Grateful Dead live at the Winterland Arena 03.18.1977. Yep the St. Patricks day hangover show from one of my favourite years of dead music. I also like the two sevens. Seven is considered to be a lucky number and the Irish are known for their luck. 

and now to the tasting. Slainte!

Nose: Thick wave of wood and vanilla, with notes of rum.

Palate: A great mouth feel that is equally thick and sparkling. Wood develops into a vanilla sweetness and then the rum notes kick in. 

Finish: long and smooth. I am left with a bit of the wood and nice degree of rum notes. I then detect a slight cigar tobacco edge. 

Irish whisky is a growing segment of the whisky world. With whiskies like this that is no surprise.The Irish are becoming creative in the ageing process and are delivering unique tasty expressions. These creations are a delight to enjoy and for just one moment I feel I can share in the luck that so famously belongs to the Irish.

Thank you and as the Irish saying goes:  ``May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light, may good luck pursue you each morning and night.``

   

The Tyrconnell

     The first day of March never fails to lift my spirits. It is not only the month of my birthday it is also the  month of many other festivities. Many of these celebrations are related to the passing of the winter and the ushering in of the spring and summer seasons. Then of course we have St. Patricks Day, a day to celebrate all things Irish. In keeping with this theme I will present an Irish whisky for each week of March. I have been looking forward to this for a long time.

     I was at a loss for a musical selection today. I pondered playing U2 but wasn't up to it for this weeks tasting. I found out that Van Morrison is Irish and so considered that as well. Again I wasn't able to work that out in my mind. I then tried to picture Ireland and realised that when I think of Ireland castles and Celts come to mind far more than U2 and other modern successes. I opted for music that lent itself to medieval imagery and chose a British band over an Irish one. The band is Pentangle and the album is Basket of Light. This album released in 1969 is the bands greatest commercial success. It is rife with medieval tales of kings and queens, huntsmen and knights. Also it doesn't hurt that track 3 is called "Springtime Promises".  

     To accompany this poetic folk rock masterpiece I opted for the Tyrconnell. It is a single malt whisky named after a horse. Apparently the horse won a race back in 1876 even with the odds stacked heavily against it (100 to 1). An image of the horse has graced the label since.

Nose: Light, sweet honey and citrus with a slight floral nod.

Palate: berries and buttery creaminess with a touch of spice at the end.

Finish: very smooth and soft. Notes of pepper, butter and honey.

     This is quite possibly the softest whisky I have ever tried. It is very approachable and easy drinking. It is so soft sweet and creamy in fact that I wondered when listening to the song "The Cuckoo" if this whisky was comparable to the nectar that the bird sucks from the white flowers to keep her voice clear.


With that question in mind I will say good night.