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The Teeling Whiskey Company Poitin

Irish In The Raw

0 578

@talexanderReview by @talexander

22nd May 2016

0

The Teeling Whiskey Company Poitin
  • Nose
    20
  • Taste
    19
  • Finish
    20
  • Balance
    19
  • Overall
    78

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

Poitin is a traditional Irish clear spirit that, when outlawed in 1661, meant that it was henceforth distilled illegally (and dangerously) by farmers, much like Kentucky moonshine. Although it was normally distilled from potatoes (this is Ireland, after all), the folks at The Teeling Whiskey Company are telling us that this commercially available product (ie. not illegal) is actually poitin. It is a combination of maize (triple-distilled in a column still) and malt (double-distilled in a copper pot still). The ABV of 61.5% is probably not what it came off the still at. Many thanks to @Nozinan for this sample.

The colour is, of course, clear. Very new-makey on the nose, with kumquats, linseed oil, rubbing alcohol, raspberries, sweet raisins and cookie dough. A bit of an alcohol burn. A touch of mint. Rather floral as well. Fruitier with water. Reminds me a bit of scotch single malt new make, and also of Buffalo Trace white dog (which this is basically a combination of). Interesting...

On the palate there is quite the burn - hard to discern the flavours. Extremely mouth-drying. Fruity and malty, with a hint of light corn syrup. It's hard to get much more than that right now...but with water things calm down and we get grassy, heathery notes. Again....interesting.

The finish is chalky with freshly-baked bread, raw sugar and barley. This is a curiosity more than anything - I don't imagine anyone will be buying bottles of this to sip by the fireside, or quaff during a weekend BBQ. I'd say this is meant for 90-year-old Irish grandmothers who still remember the good old days, but I bet they'd still be making their own poitin - out of potatoes, the proper way.

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5 comments

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

This is the equivalent of $66 for a full size 750 cc bottle. Can you think of anything it might be suited for, other than a pricy novelty?

8 years ago 0

@talexander
talexander commented

Well @Nozinan I didn't try mixing it with anything, nor try making a cocktail of some sort out of it (the official website didn't help)...so off the top of my head, I can't think of anything else but that it is a pricey novelty. But had I had more of it, I would try mixing it with ginger ale, or making it into some sort of Frankenmartini.

8 years ago 0

@Robert99
Robert99 commented

@Talexander I find another use for it. It is the only new make available to me and I am organising an educational tasting where I want the participants (new comers) to have an overview of the influence first of the grain and then of the finish. So I find it usefull to have a new make just for people to understand the influence of finnish and to realise how fruity is the distilate. So any new make is interesting for educational purpose.

8 years ago 0

@talexander
talexander commented

Good call, @Robert99. Any whisky, in any form, is always instructive and educational if you just know how to look at it.

8 years ago 0

@paddockjudge
paddockjudge commented

@talexander, your words ring true. That is why my cabinet is known as the Whisky Library. @Robert99, using new make as a teaching tool is a brilliant idea and can bring a lot of fun to the session. Having a cask strength in your toolbox can be a lot fun too.

8 years ago 0