If you’re a regular here on the Great Drams blog, you may remember a while back, how I covered a visit to Dublin’s Teeling Distillery. Well, today, I’m going to be taking a look at a Teeling dram that I’ve been hugely impressed with.

For today’s review, I’m going to be talking to you about Teeling’s Distillery Exclusive Tequila Cask Bottling, and what a belter she is.

Although it’s growing in popularity here in the UK, tequila is a spirit that’s nowhere near as popular here as it is Stateside. We are however, seeing an increase in the number of premium tequilas hitting the market, and with the summer solstice right around the corner, that only looks set to continue (Margherita anyone?)

We aren’t just seeing more tequila bottles on store shelves, we’re also seeing more tequila casks used in whiskey maturation. If done right, tequila barrel-aged whiskey is divine. It picks up just enough tequila notes to show you how it was aged, without compromising everything that we know and love about whiskey.

Here’s a look at what can be achieved with the help of tequila casks.

The Teeling Story

Irish whiskey has enjoyed numerous resurgences over the years, yet recently, we’ve really seen demand for quality Irish whiskey soaring all over the globe. As more and more distilleries are commissioned all across Ireland, it’s clear the demand is there. Hey, if it means yet more whiskey to sample, I’m all for it.

Teeling is a distillery I’ve been most impressed with. Having first opened its doors a decade ago in 2015, it was the very first whiskey distillery in Dublin for more than 125 years. Despite having been open a little more than a decade, the distillery has already picked up multiple awards and accolades, including the ‘Sustainable Distillery of the Year’ back in 2022 at the prestigious Icons of Whiskey Awards.

Despite the distillery still being in its infancy, the name ‘Teeling’ is synonymous with whiskey and can be traced back as far as 1782, when Walter Teeling first set up a humble craft distillery in the heart of Dublin. More than two centuries later, and the Teeling family are once again producing whiskey, this time thanks to Stephen and Jack Teeling, who took the reigns in 2012.

Now, just up the road from where Walter Teeling first had his craft distillery all those years ago, the Teeling Distillery proudly stands in the heart of Dublin’s historic distilling district, aptly known as the Golden Triangle.

Teeling Distillery Exclusive Tequila Cask Whiskey

Following on from a series of earlier bottlings by the Dublin distillery, Teeling Distillery Exclusive Tequila Cask Whiskey was the first of its kind, and is still proving a hit to this day. Each expression previously released was designed to celebrate the different types of wood used in whiskey maturation. This tequila cask-aged dram is no different.

Released back in late 2024, this dram is non-chill filtered and has been bottled at a smooth, yet toasty, 46% ABV. As it was a distillery exclusive, it was only available to purchase via the Teeling online store, or in person at the distillery.

The whiskey is well presented in an attractive tin gift cannister and what I loved about this is the fact that they also gave you the option to have the label personalised. At around 60 Euros a bottle, it was also very reasonably priced for such a premium quality dram.

Now let’s get down to business and look at some of those all-important tasting notes, shall we?

On the nose, you get the fruity pineapple-y influence from the tequila casks right away. It’s bright and vibrant and would make a great summer sipper. Then come the other aromas. Strong scents of burnt orange, plump apricots, sugared almonds, and heather honey here. A hint of agave? Or maybe that’s me being influenced by allure of tequila again? There’s definitely a minty, herby aroma lingering in the background.

On the palate, more pineapple and apricot, coupled with dried almond powder, golden syrup sponge and vanilla custard flavours. There’s also a subtle milk chocolate honeycomb taste to it, along with nutmeg and allspice. Another sip should reveal yet more tropical fruit flavours, as well as a definite agave nectar syrup influence this time around, balanced to perfection with Madagascan vanilla and tonka bean.

The finish is medium in length and shorter than expected, though is every bit as smooth as you might expect from an Irish whiskey of this calibre. There’s a hint of scorched cedar and oak, along with caramelized butterscotch and honey and a surprisingly spicy, lightly peppered finish with great mouthfeel that’s not too thick, not too dry, and not too oily. The Goldilocks of mouthfeel, if you will.

Bottom line. This is an exceptional dram and it’s yet another example of why I’m so excited about to resurgence of Irish whiskey we’ve been seeing lately.

If you’d like to learn more about your favourite whiskies, or simply treat yourself to a dram or two in the process, head on over to GreatDrams.com and take a look at the diverse selection of unique whiskies we currently have in stock.

With an impressive selection of limited-edition, rare, and award-winning whisky, as well as heaps of whisky info on our blog, it’s the perfect spot for any whisky lovers out there.