Teeling 19 Year Old for The Nectar

The fact that Belgian importer The Nectar selects good barres is kicking in an open door. A few years ago they knocked on Teeling's door and were able to get their hands on this former rum barrel – a single cask – on which Teeling's malt had been sleeping for 19 years. ‘Bottle this at cask strength, und sofort, bitte!' – I imagine Mario saying it like that. And he's right, because this Teeling is absolutely amazing.

Immediately tropical on pineapple and banana with mandarins and honey and vanilla and... yes, this keeps going. And it's all delicious, sweet and inviting. In the background is a dusty touch of the wood, which ensures that the whole reaches an excellent balance. After a few moments the glass even evolves into some toffee, coconut and pastries. I'm a fan!

Round and creamy on the tongue with an immediate return of the banana, which is immediately joined by mango and passion fruit, but also quite a few wood spices such as cloves and even some ras el hanout. And it works! For a moment I have to think of a well-known, closed Lowlander, but no, it is and remains an Irish whiskey with a fantastic influence of the rum barrel. Excellent!

The finish is long, sweet on vanilla and honey with an exotic terminal.

A very tasty Teeling. One of my favorites so far, without a doubt, but nowhere to be found by now. Thanks again, Benny!