by 
Teeling Single Grain Irish Whiskey. Dublin, Ireland. Tasted at The Wild Rover, $14.
Colour: Rich copper. Like the bar.
Nose: Like ripping open a fresh packet of Allen’s Strawberry & Creams. Hints of vanilla and oak.
Palate: Light drying mouthfeel; golden syrup and white pepper spice.
Finish: Dry, spicy and oak notes to fade. Light sweet notes, like letting some raw sugar dissolve on your tongue.
Comments: Teeling actually matured this whiskey in ex Californian Cabernet Sauvignon casks, which probably explains the drying tannic mouthfeel. My good mate Damo, who’s not a huge whiskyphile, thought that there was a reasonable amount of fire for the lightness and taste – but he’s not sure if that’s such a good thing. I’m not quite as cutting, but thought it was quite a pleasant dram to cut through the early evening post-work beers.