Teeling Riesling Wine Cask Grand Cru Edition 2021
The Teeling Riesling Cask in the Grand Cru Edition 2021 is the third edition of the collaboration between the Irish distillery and the German Reichsrat von Buhl winery. After maturing in ex-bourbon casks, the Irish whiskey has been refined for 18 months in selected Grand Cru Riesling casks.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The nose of the Teeling Riesling Wine Cask Grand Cru is a fruit firework. Bright fruits and grapes are immediately present and give the flavour a fresh, sweet note. The flattering notes of a little honey and orange/lime add a delicate sweetness and citrus freshness. Grain notes are subtle, while a slight sour note adds an extra dimension to the bouquet.
Palate
On the palate, the Irishman is reminiscent of white rum, which adds an unusual but fascinating component. The whisky appears youthful and shows an extreme acidity that is strongly reminiscent of lime and pineapple. Salted caramel and vanilla provide a balanced sweetness that softens the acidic character somewhat and gives the flavour additional depth.
Finish
The finish is short, but notable for the presence of oak and a slight furry note, which gives the finish a certain charm. Although the finish is rather short, it leaves a lasting impression and rounds off the flavour experience.
Thoughts
Marcel 72/100
This young Teeling Riesling Wine Cask 2021 brings plenty of fun to the glass with its lively acidity and unusual white rum touch. It’s not a classic whisky, but rather a refreshing, slightly cheeky dram for those eager to try something new – perfect for sociable evenings without any claim to perfection.
Sascha 69/100
The Teeling Riesling Wine Cask Grand Cru Edition 2021 presents an intriguing balance between pronounced acidity and sweet vanilla notes, yet it remains somewhat underdeveloped in structure and finish. For fans of experimental cask maturation, it offers interesting aromas, but it doesn’t quite achieve the harmony needed to become a true long-term favourite.
Value for Money: Good
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65/100Frequently Asked Questions
How does maturation in Grand Cru Riesling casks influence the flavor of the Teeling Riesling Wine Cask Grand Cru Edition 2021?
Maturation in selected Grand Cru Riesling casks imparts fruity aromas of white grapes, citrus notes like orange and lime, as well as a subtle acidity reminiscent of lime and pineapple. This cask aging complements the bourbon barrel notes with a fresh, sweet-and-sour complexity.
Why is the Teeling Riesling Wine Cask Grand Cru Edition 2021, despite lacking an age statement, not a typical young whisky?
Although there is no age statement, the combination of bourbon barrel maturation and an additional 18 months in Grand Cru Riesling casks creates a complex aroma profile. This gives the whisky a matured fruitiness and depth that you don’t always find in young whiskies.
Which flavor notes make the Teeling Riesling Wine Cask Grand Cru Edition 2021 particularly unusual compared to other Irish whiskeys?
The whisky displays an unusual acidity and fruitiness reminiscent of white rum, combined with intense citrus notes and a pronounced lime and pineapple acidity. This is accompanied by sweet accents of salted caramel and vanilla, plus a short, oak-driven finish with a slight velvety touch.