The Teeling family have been swimming in whiskey for a long time now.
Their latest series, Teeling Rising Reserve 21 Year old Single Malt, is all about celebrating the rebirth of Dublin whiskey – but don’t get it muddled up in marketing: this bottle isn’t 21 years young because they started distilling at Newmarket Square.
Nope.
This juice was originally laid down at the Cooley Distillery (where Jack and Stephen’s dad, John Teeling, previously ruled the roost). It’s an absolute treasure chest of old single malt, finished for a final polish in Marsala wine casks from Sicily.
And sweet mother of mercy, you can taste every second of those 21 years.
Rate That Pop
With all that age and fancy cork surely this is a pop to write home about?
Nose
- Big tropical fruits straight away, think mandarin, ripe mango, maybe even fleshy melon.
- Then boom: Terry’s Chocolate Orange vibes, but turned up to eleven and handmade by some Michelin-starred chocolatier.
- A slow reveal of vanilla, honeycomb, and toasted wood underneath all that fruit.
It smells rich but lively.
Like you’re about to drink something expensive (because you are).
Palate
- Age hits first: that creamy, chewy, biscuit-y mouthfeel only decades in oak can build.
- Layers of cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, and that sexy, spicy Marsala fruitiness weaving through it.
- Second sip brings out rich oak spice – a little dry tannin, balancing all that upfront sweetness perfectly.
This is depth in a glass a whiskey you can sip once, twice, six times and find something new every go.
Finish of Teeling Rising Reserve
- Long and lingering, but not punchy.
- A final roll of tropical fruit sweetness, biscuit crumble, and a slight dry oak grip.
- You could honestly chase the last sip around your mouth for ten minutes if you had the patience.
The Verdict on Teeling Rising Reserve 21
Score: “Here, That’s Class” (8.8/10)
This is top shelf whiskey, no question.
The Teeling Rising Reserve 21 Year Old is the kind of pour you open for good friends, talk about for weeks after, and maybe even convince a few non-believers to join the Irish whiskey revolution.
It’s vibrant and polished. Deep without being heavy. Rich without feeling sticky syrup. It ticks all the boxes that matter – nose, palate, finish, complexity and does it with a balance that feels effortless.
You’ll pour this for mates, post about it proudly, and, most importantly, they’ll thank you for it.
A real standout from the Teeling crew. It’s a bottle you crack open when the people around you actually give a damn about what’s in the glass.
Sláinte and for more Teeling Irish Whiskey reviews check out this link.
For more info check out more from Teeling Whiskey: HERE