Teeling Small Batch Series Santa Teresa Limited Edition

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Teeling - Ireland

Ex-Bourbon Barrels and Ex-Rum from Santa Teresa in Venezuela Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Blended Whiskey

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The Small Batch is Teeling’s flagship product. Few people know this, but it is always finished in rum casks. However, this one is a limited edition, finished in rum casks from the Santa Teresa solera in Venezuela. In fact, it’s part of an exchange, the Santa Teresa solera has also released a rum aged in Irish whisky casks. For the original Teeling Small Batch, the finishing process lasted six months, I assume it’s the same for this one. However, there’s no mention of why the Venezuelan rum is better than the Nicaraguan rum used for the original. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The rum appears to be of a certain quality,  beetroot, caramel and honey, molasses, refined sugar with essence, dark chocolate, coconut flakes, lychees, macerated almonds, metallic undertones, raisins, figs. On the palate, it is slightly oily, coconut oil, waves of vanilla, almond paste, egg custard, pineapple in syrup, peach melba, light spices. A decent, almost long finish, crumble dusted with cinnamon, vanilla pod, clove, crème fraîche. Egg yolk, coconut pearls. Cereals. 

 

In Short, 

Yes, it’s a bit better than Teeling’s previous rum-cask-aged things. But I struggle with this sort of ageing, it’s too sweet for my taste, it masks the grain notes, which are the fundamental flavour of whisky, and it rarely results in a lovely finish. That’s somewhat the case here, despite a decent nose and an almost interesting finish. Not much to get excited about, though. 

Score : 83

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             All Tvvins - Darkest Ocean

Cragganmore 1989 Whiskyland Chapter Twenty-Four 36 yo

 

 

 

51,8°

Distillery : Cragganmore - Speyside

Refill Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Decadent Drinks 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Every bottling in the Whiskyland series has something magical about it, it reveals something we never suspected about the distillery, or perhaps something we suspected but which had not yet come to light. It really is the very best whisky on offer at the moment. And this one is no exception, 36 years in a simple refill hogshead, that’s enough to reveal the true identity of this all too little-known distillery. Cragganmore is owned by Diageo, and whilst it’s true that there are a few original bottlings available, they’re hardly convincing, due to their low alcohol content and cold filtration. These 158 bottles should give a better idea of what the distillery is really capable of. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Juicy, candied fruits, apricots, mirabelle plums, Reine-Claude plums, sliced pineapple, papaya, grapefruit segments, ripe melon, bananas, coated in beeswax, candle wax, marzipan. Lemon zest, gourmet cereals, bark and cinnamon. Pastry cream. On the palate, it’s almost as marvellous, velvety vanilla, oranges and clementines, juicy peaches, Belle Hélène pears, dusted with freshly cut hay. Spices masterfully balanced. A very long, perfectly executed finish, yuzu, floor wax, apple crumble, heather honey, courgette flowers, daffodils. Forestal scents, humus. 

 

In Short, 

As the presenter said, “it’s like wax in a pillow of feathers”. It really is a whisky from another world, wonderfully fruity, yet characterised by notes of wax, citrus and an alluring woodiness, in short, everything a whisky needs to leave a lasting impression. On the other hand, the price has soared to frightening heights. That’s a real shame. 

Score : 91+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Caspian - Remain

Miltonduff 2002 Decadent Drams 22 yo

 

 

 

52,8°

Distillery : Miltonduff - Speyside 

2d Fill Bourbon Barrel and Refill Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Decadent Drinks

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

To create this, the team at Decadent Drinks have blended a second-fill bourbon barrel distilled in 1991 with a refill hogshead dating from 2002. The result is therefore officially 22 years old, but part of the spirit is much older, at least 33 years. In total, that makes 245 collector’s bottles, just one of which would be enough to make us happy. I wonder whether the Refill Hogshead isn’t, at least in part, made from a sherry cask. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It is very fruity, very lemony, with a very pleasant spring-like freshness, beeswax, forest honey, dried apricots, quince jam, fig compote, Tarte Tatin, peaches in syrup, white grapes, melt-in-the-mouth caramel, elegant oak, butter-braised notes, candied ginger. On the palate, it is very well-balanced, both rich and smooth, very old-fashioned style, cooked mirabelle plums, cinnamon, pine needles, and the right amount of spice, cloves and nutmeg. The finish is quite long, more refined than powerful, fruit cake, wood varnish, old library, liquorice, then a few mineral and leafy notes.

 

In Short, 

A truly beautiful experience, a whisky that is both generously fruity and seems to come from another era. Blending two such different casks creates a certain tension in the final product, which piques one’s curiosity. I enjoyed it very much, but I’m not entirely convinced. It’s more interesting than moving. The price is, of course, quite high, but I don’t find it outrageous. 

Score : 89+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Faery - Blyth

Teeling French Agricole Rhum Casks

 

 

 

46° 

Distillery : Teeling - Ireland

Bourbon Casks and Ti Ced' Vanilla Macadamia Rum Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Blended Whiskey

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

There are very few details available about this bottling. It is a limited edition announced in 2024, apparently available only in France. It is a Teeling Small Batch that has undergone a 12-month finishing process in casks previously containing Ti Ced’ flavoured rum, infused with vanilla and macadamia. I must admit I hesitated a little before tasting it, but nothing ventured, nothing gained. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

There are notes of cereal, fresh wheat, hay. But these quickly give way to sweet flavours, vanilla pod, cane sugar, agave. Green apple, mild caramel, slight woodiness. Not-quite-ripe Reine-Claude plums. On the palate, it is light, the influence of rum is noticeable, baked apples, cinnamon and a hint of citrus. Coated pralines. A few spices, ginger, aniseed. An unremarkable finish, biscuits, honey-toasted bread, apple peel, crème fraîche, wood shavings, walnuts. Water lilies.

 

In Short, 

I didn’t find it particularly interesting. The whisky itself is already of average quality, and on top of that they’ve added this rum finish, which spoils it. It’s too sweet for my taste, and the same flavours linger from the nose right through to the finish. It lacks complexity. Fortunately, the high alcohol content adds a bit of a kick, and the finish does have a certain appeal after all. 

Score : 82-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping :

                                             Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars

Teeling Single Malt

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Teeling - Ireland

Virgin American Oak, Ruby Port, Caravelos White Port, Madeira and Bourbon Finish

Original Bottling 

Core Range

Single Malt

Launched in 2014

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Teeling Single Malt was launched in October 2014, five months before the Teeling distillery opened. At the time, it was therefore an independent bottling, drawing on stocks from Cooley, a distillery founded in 1987 by John Teeling and sold in 2012, though without the stocks. The original Teeling Single Malt was therefore a Cooley whisky, with some casks dating back as far as 23 years, and was the result of a blend of five types of cask, Sherry, Port, Madeira, White Burgundy and Cabernet Sauvignon, following an initial maturation in Bourbon casks. However, after 12 years, the recipe apparently changed, as the distillery’s website indicates a different maturation process, still involving five types of cask but not the same ones. I assume that, at present, all the whisky comes from the Teeling distillery, so this is indeed an original bottling. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

On the nose, toasted cereals, crunchy roasted maize, mashed banana, and a subtle mineral touch. Tropical notes, wax, melted butter. Candied citrus fruits, melons, figs, caramel, vanilla-flavoured milk. Mountain honey. On the palate, still very fruity, but also quite watery, peaches and pears, lacquered wood, milk chocolate, intense spices, cloves, ginger, grey pepper. The finish isn’t very long, but it’s decent, rusks, small and slightly tart apples, roasted hazelnuts, nougat, cane syrup. Shortcrust pastry. 

In Short, 

I’m not particularly impressed, the nose is interesting, but the fivefold finish muddies the waters a bit, there are too many varied flavours that clash. On the palate, it’s too light, and the finish is rather short. I’m often a bit wary of Single Malts from Ireland. As far as I’m concerned, they should stick to Pot Still.

Score : 83

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             The Script - The Man Who Can't Be Moved

Maclean's Nose Blended Scotch Whisky

 

 

 

46°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Highlands, Lowlands and Campbeltown

Bourbon Barrels and Hogsheads, Sherry Hogsheads

Independent Bottling 

By Adelphi

Core Range 

Blended Scotch Whisky 

Launched in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Lightly Peated

 

 

 

Launched in 2023, this expression revives the traditions of blends created by independent bottlers in the 19th and 20th centuries. It features a selection of distilleries combined in an original recipe. The advantage here is that it is non-chill-filtered and uncoloured, and the alcohol content is 46°. As for the distilleries involved, Ardnamurchan is certainly one of them, and the Campbeltown whisky is most probably Glen Scotia. As for the grain whisky, some suggest North British, whilst others mention Cameronbridge. It is unlikely that any other distilleries are involved. 70 per cent of the grain is malted barley. The age appears to range between 5 and 7 years. The name pays tribute to Charles Maclean, an expert and renowned author of books on whisky, who chairs the Adelphi tasting committee. But Maclean’s Nose is also a headland on the Ardnamurchan peninsula, where the distillery of the same name is located. Some might have pointed out the uncanny resemblance between Charles Maclean’s nose and the headland known as Maclean’s Nose, but this remains purely speculative. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Caramel-coated cereals, somewhat rustic, buttered bread, wispy smoke, creamy honey, vanilla and yellow plums, lemon and treacle, aged leather, a few mineral and coastal notes, a pinch of salt, whiffs of iodine, seaside air. On the palate, it’s quite fruity, even spicy, mirabelle plums, bananas, pineapple, apricots and more, along with, of course, cereal and peat to provide structure. The finish fades rather quickly, which is a shame, but there are still biscuits, an ounce of charcoal, dried fruit, dates and nuts, traces of aniseed. 

 

In Short, 

For a blend, it’s actually more than not bad. It’s one of the best blended Scotch whiskies I’ve ever tasted, apart from the Compass Box blends, I can’t think of anything better. It’s ideal for those new to whisky, or if you simply must have a blend in your collection. What’s more, the price is really attractive, it’s the sort of thing you’d buy without a second thought. 

Score : 85

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Melissa Bonny - Snow on Mars

Isle of Raasay 2021 Dùn Cana Third Edition

 

 

 

52°

Distillery : Isle of Raasay - Islands

American Oak Ex-Rye Whiskey Casks, Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso Quarter Casks Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

I missed out on the second release of Dùn Cana, which was apparently reserved for the UK market, but I didn’t hesitate to give this third release a go when the opportunity arose. The recipe doesn’t seem to have changed since the first release: American oak ex-rye whisky casks, followed by a finish in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso quarter casks. This time, the finish appears to have lasted just over a month, which is very short indeed. Distillation took place in September 2021, and bottling in September 2025, but we cannot conclude from this that the whisky is four years old, as the vatting period (blending of all the casks) lasted nine months, from December 2024 to August 2025, and I do not know whether this vatting took place in an oak vat. Exactly 14,300 bottles were released for sale.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

This sherry is well-made, but it is a little dry and very spicy. Enhanced by a gentle smokiness, with vanilla flan, roasted peaches and plums soaked in caramel. A few red berries, delicate coastal and mineral notes, a pinch of salt, sea spray. On the palate, vanilla-infused mirabelle plums, milk chocolate, blood orange, toasted almonds. Quite intense spices, black pepper and cloves. A very long and deep finish, dark tobacco, light peat, candied fruit, varnished wood. Ground hazelnut, speculoos, melt-in-the-mouth toffee. 

 

In Short, 

The one small thing that bothered me about the first edition, the spices being too strong, is still there. But apart from that, it seems to me that the quality has improved, the flavour is more intense, and the sherry is less overpowering. It’s a lovely blend, though the price is still a bit high for my liking. 

Score : 87+ 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Annicke Shireen - False Gods

Isle of Raasay 2022 The Chinkapin Batch C-01.1.1

 

 

 

50,2°

Distillery : Isle of Raasay - Islands

Fresh and Refill Chinkapin Oak Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Lightly Peated

 

 

 

This is the new release for the year from this distillery, founded in 2017 on the island of Raasay, which is one of Scotland’s most interesting young distilleries. Eighty per cent of the whisky has been matured in virgin oak casks, and 20 per cent in refill casks. Some of the barley used is peated at around 50 ppm, whilst the rest is unpeated. The proportions are not specified, so I cannot estimate the peat level, but it is relatively light, less than 30 ppm anyway. These new American oak casks have a high vanillin content. They were toasted and charred specifically for the distillery. As for the age, it is a minimum of three years, the last distillation took place in 2022, and the bottling in February 2026.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Toasted wheat, cinnamon, smoky wood, dates, egg flan. Peat sinking into black earth and damp bark. Coffee grounds, Van Houten chocolate. Wild berries, a pinch of sea salt. A hint of minerality, the scent of the open sea. On the palate, the vanilla is intense, as are the citrus notes, crushed lemon, freshly squeezed grapefruit. Mountain honey, redcurrants, almost floral peat, cured ham. Very powerful spices, leading into a long finish, full of smoke, sandalwood, clove, nutmeg, cumin and various peppers. Sanded wood. 

 

In Short, 

It’s much more intense than The Draam, but not necessarily more complex. There’s a strong woody note, but without any bitterness, the peat is more pronounced, with both floral and mineral notes, and the spices are quite intense. I found it very enjoyable, it really brings out the best in the spirit, and it’s full of character. The price makes me a bit hesitant to buy it, but it’s definitely worth a taste. 

Score : 87+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Sabrina Jordan - Burden the Heavens