Ireland does not really do smoke. That is what makes this bottle worth your attention.
Teeling Blackpitts is the first peated single malt ever distilled in Dublin, named after the old malting quarter that sits just behind the Teeling distillery in the Liberties. Heavily peated malted barley goes in, but because Teeling triple distils it rather than following the Scottish route, the phenols soften on the way through. What lands in the glass is barbecue smoke and warm wood instead of the sharp medicinal punch you get from an Islay dram. It is smoke with manners.
Maturation happens in a mix of ex bourbon barrels and ex Sauternes white wine casks, a trick Teeling borrowed from the 24 year old single malt that was crowned World's Best Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards in 2019. The bourbon brings butterscotch and vanilla. The Sauternes brings honeyed fruit. Together they wrap the peat in something rounder and sweeter than you expect.
Nose is applewood smoke, honey, allspice and grilled pineapple. The palate moves through stewed pear, salted caramel and clove. The finish is dry wood spice fading into a long savoury smoulder.
Bottled at 46% with no chill filtration, so nothing has been stripped out for the sake of a clear bottle.
