This year the WOW is using virgin Portuguese Oak to finish their whiskey. The whiskey has a mashbill of 50% malted barley and 50% un-malted barley, which is triple distilled prior to maturing. Native to the Iberian Peninsula this Portuguese Oak was selected because of the higher tannin content when compared totypical oak. The resulting flavor profile produces distinctive savory marmalade flavors with hints of tobacco and pepper traditional of Irish whiskey.
It doesn’t appear to be a common wood used for cask manufacturing. It is commonly used for construction and timbers. Teeling selected this wood because it has a high tannin content and not because it was a traditional cask. It is curious this isn’t a more traditional use for this wood.
This Irish single pot still expression from Dublin’s Teeling Whiskey leads with a densely layered nose that’s floral and fruity, with just a hint of stony minerality and earthy wood. Pineapple and mango jump out of the glass on a gust of flowery potpourri and a whisper of salty sea air. The new oak used to mature this whiskey really pops on the palate, where the balance between pepper, coriander, sweet tea, and berry compote shines through the oaky sweetness.
Wonders of Wood has been a hit with Irish whiskey fans. I’m a sucker for a good cause and I applaud the efforts at reforestation. Teeling is still taking a risk with this release. A non-traditional oak barrel could result in a slam dunk or be too strange on the palate. With that, we turn to the glass.
Tasting Notes:
Appearance: Light amber with yellow highlights.
Nose: Bananas, citrus, clove, and soft oak char are delicately balanced.
Palate: The mouthfeel for this is delightfully oily, it coats the teeth and tongue. I am entreated to nutmeg and toasted oak. A lot of the notes from the nose did not carry over. I don't find marmalade but there is pepper and a light fruitiness. As we cross into the finish I find tobacco and some salt. The hold is long, but the flavor is relatively muted.
Mash bill: 50% malted barley and 50% un-malted barley.
50% ABV / 100 Proof
