Teeling Teeling Brabazon Bottling Series 03 49.5% 2005

Professionele reviews

Serge Valentin (87)

We haven’t tried #02, but we thought #01 had been pretty pretty good. What’s more, it’s perfect that they would have added the age statement this time, while since the finishing period in PX lasted for 3 long years (in whisky making, years are always longer), this is more double-maturation than a simple finishing. All cleared then, let’s proceed… Colour: gold. Nose: it’s absolutely not one of those hastily PX-ed whiskies that are invading our shelves, with rather some perfect walnut cake, a rum-raisin combo, a rather lovely kind of earthiness that you would also find in some high-end pipe tobaccos or teas, and then a feeling of prunes soaked in old armagnac. That’s all pretty ‘meta’, with this impression of whiskey – rum – brandy blend that would just work in this case. It’s even a little troubling, shall we say, but will this happen on the palate as well? Mouth: clearly and purely Irish this time, the whisky’s won it, with the usual and much expected tropical fruits, mangos, then rather tarte tatin and mirabelle jam. A handful of sultanas too, then a touch of hops and flowery/fruity herbal tea. More leaves and grass appearing after a short while, together with touches of cloves, caraway and nutmeg. Notes of proper old PX. Finish: rather medium, with some muscovado sugar, more cloves, and our friends the ripe mirabelles. Leafier aftertaste (tea). Comments: just excellent. Great work with ‘proper’ PX, I think, with even a wee feeling of V.O.R.S. that I just forgot to mention before

Whisky Notes (88)

Nose: clear sherry notes but in a very seductive and balanced way. Baked red apples, fragrant plums and floral honey. Whiffs of rose petals at the top end. Soft hints of chocolate and coffee underneath. Hints of cinnamon and roasted almonds as well.

Mouth: oily and rather fruity again, with poached pears, red apples again and hints of fresh, juicy figs. There’s a slight candied note (maybe raspberry candy). The PX is really well balanced here, never overtaking the spirit. Then there a greener, spicy theme, light mint. Some caramelized brown sugar, prunes and soft chocolate notes.

Finish: medium long, on oranges (or rather marmalade), mint, coffee and leafy notes.

A very nice result, the balance is just right and these casks (from a solera founded in 1918, I suppose) really add some nice flavours. The best Brabazon so far, in my opinion

BOW (88)