There are plenty of articles and videos online that purport to address so-called myths about whisky. What many of them actually discuss are just misconceptions, and the content is aimed chiefly at novices and newcomers to the category. Well-worn examples include “older whisky is better whisky”, or “the smokiness in whisky comes from the charred barrels”, or “you should add water to your dram”. While such content does have value, that’s not what this article is about. What’s more interesting is to look at some of the myths and stories that are so deeply entrenched in whisky’s culture, they’re even believed by seasoned whisky drinkers and enthusiasts. Worse still are those that continue to be reinforced by some well-meaning but misled brand ambassadors. And let’s not get started on the misinformation spread by influ…oops….content creators who are more interested in getting clicks than researching their topic. So let’s knuckle down and tear into some of the deeper myths about whisky that continue to endure… Continue reading “Whisky Mythbusters – Debunking the whisky myths”
Tag: Irish Whiskey
Teeling Blackpitts
It’s now more than six years since Whisky & Wisdom wrote its first article about Teeling whiskey, and there’s been three or four further articles along the way with subsequent reviews of their excellent whiskies. With the release of Teeling Blackpitts whiskey, the brand has put peated Irish whiskey back on the radar and it’s excited fans of the category worldwide. But before we dive into the specifics on the Blackpitts rekease, it’s worth recapping on the basics….
The Teeling Distillery was completed in Dublin in 2015 and became the first new distillery to be built in Dublin in over 120 years. It also became the first operating distillery in Dublin since the closure of the old Powers distillery in the mid 1970’s. While the distillery’s new spirit was quietly slumbering and maturing, the brand established itself by bottling older whiskey that had been distilled at Cooley. (Cooley had been founded by John Teeling in 1987, hence the connection.) The distillery’s first release of their own home-made spirit was the Single Pot Still release in September, 2018, and there have now been several batches of that bottled since. However, the new Teeling Blackpitts release is the next exciting home-made chapter…
Teeling Whiskey – Three limited edition gems for Australia
The resurgence – indeed, resurrection – of the Irish whiskey industry continues to gather momentum, and one of the newer (and certainly more vocal and visible) players in the scene took another exciting step earlier this year when the Teeling Whiskey 24 yo won the industry’s most highly coveted gong. With focus again concentrating on the spirit coming out of the Emerald Isle, it’s a good time for fans of Irish whiskey as Teeling releases three new expressions into the Australian market. Continue reading “Teeling Whiskey – Three limited edition gems for Australia”
Hyde Single Grain Whiskey – The Aras Cask releases
Want to know about Hyde Irish whiskey and the new Aras Cask releases? Read on…
Every whisky drinker has his or her favourite category or variety of whisk(e)y. Once upon time, many were firmly camped in one category and rarely ventured outside it. You might have been a Scotch person who never touched Bourbon. Or a fan of the Irish stuff who found the malts of Scotland a bit too robust. However, with the explosion of whisky bars around the country and diverse ranges of spirits more readily and affordably available to try by the dram, people can now explore categories of whisk(e)y outside their comfort zone without too much grief. It’s one of the reasons that people are expanding their horizons and – whilst we all still have our favourite – at least we’re embracing other categories.
For obvious reasons, it’s about this time every year that people suddenly decide to check out Irish whiskey. St Patrick’s Day means different things to different people, but – if nothing else – for whisky drinkers, it’s a good excuse to insert an ‘e’ into the word and try a drop of the pure.
Continue reading “Hyde Single Grain Whiskey – The Aras Cask releases”
Teeling “The Revival” 15yo
Teeling Whiskey, the new Irish brand (and new Irish distillery!) continues to make waves and inroads since announcing itself on the world stage. Whisky & Wisdom has written much about this in the past, but rather than repeating the history in this little piece, you can read our previous article here. With the Teeling Distillery opening in Dublin in 2015, there is a true sense of revival, and so what better name than Revival to give the first of the updated Vintage Reserve Collection. (Revival – a 15yo release – will be followed by a 24yo and 33yo release).
The new Teeling 15yo Revival – limited to 10,000 bottles – consists of whiskey distilled in 1999 and matured exclusively in ex-rum casks. Bottled at 46% and non-chillfiltered, it’s a juicy whiskey that provides an interesting mix of both spirit and wood-driven characteristics.
Hyde Irish Whiskey & the 10yo President’s Cask
Irish whiskey is continuing its rapid climb and resurgence. Just as we hear all about new distilleries opening in Scotland, so too are new ventures commencing in Ireland. In addition to new distilleries, we are also seeing new Irish bottlers and brands appearing hand-in-hand with the resurrected industry. Hyde whiskey forms part of that narrative.
Continue reading “Hyde Irish Whiskey & the 10yo President’s Cask”
Teeling Single Malt and Silver Reserve 21yo
Fans of Irish Whiskey should by now be no stranger to the name Teeling, and the new Teeling Single Malt is turning heads in the Irish whiskey industry, as is the new Silver Reserve 21yo. The Teeling name and family claims distilling heritage back to 1782 when Walter Teeling set up his distillery in Dublin. However, things get more interesting if you fast forward two centuries to 1987, when John Teeling established Cooley Distillery and instantly changed the landscape of the Irish whiskey industry at that time. The number of whiskey distilleries in Ireland had fallen from over 100 in 1886 to just two survivors by 1970. Cooley was not just a breath of fresh air, but an injection of life, independence, new thinking, and new styles of whiskey into the Irish industry. When Cooley eventually sold to Beam Inc. in 2011, the stage was set for John Teeling to start another chapter in his life, going on to form the Irish Whiskey Company with a group of investors, including his two sons, Jack & Stephen Teeling. Whilst that company is currently focussing on converting an old brewery in Dundalk into a distillery, brothers Jack & Stephen have formed their own company, Teeling Whiskey Company, and set about bringing out new whiskies for the public to enjoy.
Continue reading “Teeling Single Malt and Silver Reserve 21yo”
When Irish eyes are Teeling
Looking for the origin story about Teeling Whiskey? Below is the piece we wrote at the start of 2015, which still holds up…
Whilst the Scotch whisky industry continues to bubble along and keep everyone moderately happy as long as we’ve all got a filled Glencairn in our hand, the real gossip and excitement in the whisk(e)y community right now seems to be with what’s happening in other countries.
The recent media storm over Jim Murray’s latest edition of his Whisky Bible got everyone talking about Japanese whisky, and similar waves went around the globe when Australia’s Sullivan’s Cove was awarded best whisky in the world by Whisky Magazine last year. And whisky brands like Kavalan (Taiwan), Mackmyra (Sweden), and Paul John or Amrut (India) continue to make the transition from being a modest curiosity to players with major followings, reach and – more critically – quality product.
And so, with all sectors of the whisky industry in growth and development, it’s no surprise that Irish whiskey is also making waves and changing the landscape. Consider the following recent events:
- Irish whiskey has been identified as the fastest growing distilled spirit category in the world. That means its growth is outpacing bourbon, vodka, tequila, Scotch, brandy, and so on.
- Cooley Distillery, Ireland’s only independent distillery (at the time) was sold to Beam Inc. in 2011.
- Diageo sold Bushmills Distillery to tequila giant Casa Cuervo in 2014.
- William Grant & Sons purchased the Tullamore Dew brand in 2010, and last year completed the construction of a massive new distillery at Tullamore
- Former Bruichladdich leader, Mark Reynier, recently announced his next venture would be a new Irish whiskey distillery in Waterford.
- In 2013, there were just four operating whiskey distilleries in Ireland. The Irish Spirits Association expects this number to grow to 15 in the next few years.
While the decline of the Irish whiskey industry in the 20th century and the reasons for it are well documented, its recent growth and renaissance is truly something worth celebrating. And all the more so, when both independence and tradition team up and jump out of the page. And that, ladies and gents, is where Teeling Whiskey fits in.
Heading off to a whisky show? Read this first!
With whisky shows and expos like Whisky Live now up and running in many countries, whisky lovers all over the world now have the opportunity to attend amazing tasting events where there is much to sample and experience in a short session.
(Note this article has been amended for European/US readers. If you’re reading in Australia, click here for the original, more localised version).
I recently reflected on how many different articles I’d written over the years that shared a theme or objective that could loosely be summarised as “How to get the most out of your dram”. But something that hadn’t been addressed in any detail is how best to plan your attack when attending an expo-style tasting event, i.e. a whisky show. Playing it right, or otherwise, can mean the difference between having an outstanding sensory and culinary experience, or having a dull, confusing session.
As someone who regularly attends whisky shows as both a regular punter and as an exhibitor behind the table, I’m only too aware that attendees need to plan their session or employ wise strategy if they are to get the best out of what is on offer. Play it wrong, and you truly rob yourself of a rewarding, positive opportunity.
Continue reading “Heading off to a whisky show? Read this first!”