Teeling 18-Year Renaissance Series No. 3 Review: 'Pure Luxury'

We regularly review whisk(e)y from beyond Scotland’s borders. We’ve already featured divine drams from Australia, Japan, and the Netherlands. In this review, we took the time to explore an Irish whiskey up close: Teeling 18-Year-Old Renaissance Series No. 3.

The Teeling family has deep roots in the storied tradition of Irish whiskey. For much of the 20th century, Irish whiskey struggled, leaving just two operational distilleries: Midleton and Bushmills. After this low point, a number of people and organizations in Ireland decided enough was enough. Irish whiskey had to reclaim its place on the map, and with the launch of John Teeling’s Cooley Distillery in 1987, the tide slowly began to turn.

After learning the craft from their father, John’s sons Jack and Stephen opened their own Teeling Distillery in the heart of Dublin in 2012. Here, the brothers create authentic Irish whiskey with a contemporary edge. A fine example of Teeling’s craftsmanship is the Renaissance Series, a collection of five 18-year-old Teeling whiskeys.

Each of these striking whiskeys matured first in former American ex-bourbon casks, followed by a finish in distinctive (wine) casks. Here are all five:

The packaging this Teeling arrives in is nothing short of colossal. The bottle comes housed in a large black box with a magnetic closure, adorned with gold and white lettering and Teeling’s iconic phoenix. The overall look is supremely luxurious and gives you the sense you’re holding something special. Everything a whiskey lover wants to know is printed on the front and inside of the box.

Open it up and you’ll find a beautifully shaped bottle nestled securely in foam. Again, no expense spared on presentation, this bottle is a stunner. It’s sealed with a cork topped by a hefty, gold-colored metal cap. For fun, we weighed it: the robust closure comes in at a solid 128 grams.

The moment the hefty cork pops, this Irish gold greets you with the fresh fruitiness of peach and mango. Held to the light, the whiskey shows a deep amber hue. It’s been colored, but that doesn’t spoil the experience. After a short rest in the glass, we also pick up ripe white grapes, vanilla, and spicy oak on the nose.

After this charming introduction of bright and tropical fruit, it’s time to taste. So far, the packaging, the bottle, and the inviting aroma have completely won us over. We take a modest first sip and the palate delivers. The Muscat wine cask finish lends a delightful fruitiness to this gentle Irish dram.

On the palate, nectarine, underripe mango, and mint burst forward. The tongue is coated in a velvety layer without sacrificing body. Despite the abundant sweetness, a note of spicy oak stands tall to keep things complex. This interplay carries through into the finish, while stewed apple and marzipan wave us off.

Teeling 18-Year-Old Renaissance Series No. 3 is, quite rightly, a fruit-forward celebration. Lush sweetness and bright fruit flood the palate without losing character. Teeling honors Irish tradition with a soft, sweet whiskey, yet the use of Muscat wine casks brings a distinctly modern twist.

+ Luxurious presentation and bottle design

+ Fruity delight

+ Accessible yet layered

- The sweetness won’t be for everyone