Teeling Renaissance Series 5

1 March 2023

What do we have here? It seems we have stumbled upon something quite special during an online tasting – the Teeling Renaissance series 5. And not just any bottle, mind you. It’s an 18 years old one that has been finished on ex-Calvados casks, after an initial maturation on bourbon casks. Now, if that doesn’t sound like a party in your mouth, then I don’t know what does!

Let’s get down to business, shall we:

Tasting notes

Nose

Upon first whiff, you’ll be greeted with a bouquet of peaches, apricot jam, pineapple, coconut, candy and leather. A hint of crayons and molten glass too, if that makes sense.

Palate

As you take a sip, the whiskey dances on your tongue, offering up notes of brine and sweet malts, with a layer of creamy apples and peaches.

Finish

As the whiskey lingers in your mouth, you’ll notice hints of iron. But the rest is a continuation of the nose and palate: it’s briny with tropical fruits, malt and sweet cake.

It’s sweet, but not cloying, and has a full-bodied richness that makes you want to curl up in a cozy armchair and sip it slowly. It offers a complex, sophisticated and elegant flavour that leaves you wanting more. And, boy, do we want more!

In conclusion, the Renaissance series 5 is a gem in the world of whisk(e)y. It’s another beautiful expression of craftsmanship, patience, and creativity from the folks of Teeling. This also goes for the other drams we got to taste that evening. A tip from us: if you’ve saved up a bit of money, have a look at the Rising Reserve Series I, it’s a bit more costly, but a real stunner!