Teeling has launched its Wonders of Wood series with an Amburana Cask Whiskey. The Dublin distillery choice to use the Brazilian hardwood cask for the Irish Whiskey came out of its Virtual Wonders of Wood event, which occurred in September.
The Teeling Wonders of Wood Amburana Cask Whiskey is a 14 Year Single Malt that initially aged in Bourbon barrels and then further matured in Virgin Amburana Brazilian hardwood. Amburana casks rarely make it out of Brazil, but the brand was lucky enough to get its hands on a number of sustainably farmed casks that had been destined for a premium Cachaça distiller.
The new offering challenges the Irish Whiskey flavor expectations, offering a carrot cake taste profile with hints of vanilla, cardamom and walnut. On the nose, it offers cinnamon, coconut, almond, marzipan, hot apple, and liquorice. The palate delivers baked apple, vanilla, black cardamom, walnut, and carrot cake. The finish is long and spicy.
The selection of the Amburana Wood as the first release of Teeling’s Wonders of Wood series was decided by attendees of its Virtual Wonders of Wood event in September. Hosted by Teeling Whiskey’s Master Distiller, Alex Chasko; Teeling Maturation Manager, Iain Wood; and Global Brand Ambassador, Robert Caldwell, the tasting gave participants an opportunity to taste some of the distillery’s most innovative and unique Teeling Whiskey maturation projects.
At the end of the tasting, the audience voted for their favorite and shared their tasting notes. The winner on the night was to be bottled up as a Single Cask and to be the first release in the Wonders of Wood series. The Amburana Brazilian Hardwood was the pick of the lot.
Bottled at 56.9% ABV, the Teeling Whiskey Wonders of Wood Amburana Cask is priced at €125 ($148 USD) and is exclusively available at the distillery or via the online shop.