The Brabazon series is back with a bang, the third batch of this fantastic series is a show stopper. Teelings Brabazon Number 3, is the first in the series to get an age statement. This Single Malt whiskey is aged for 14 years, initally in American Bourbon barrels, then Sherry and finally matured in 90 years old PX casks. This is a limited edition collection of uniquely Irish Single Malt showing off the full impact and flavour of fortified wine cask maturation.
This release is packaged beautifully and is housed in an ornately designed box which depicts the stately town house where the Brabazon family once lived. The Brabazon family were the lords of the Libirties who presided over the area of the Liberties in Dublin from the 16-19th century (where the current Teeling Distillery has been built).
For this 3rd edition, Jack Teeling and the team have worked with a family-owned winery in Jerez that dates back to the 18th century. They specialise in wine made from Pedro Ximénez grapes for over 300 years. Here the family family have sourced authentic Pedro Ximenéz Casks that have been used for 90 years in their small bodega. These very rare PX barrels were filled with Teelings Single Malt liquid which was distilled in 2005. Brabazon 3 is aged (finished) for three years allowing character of this rich wine to heavily influence the whiskey.
Pedro Ximénez (also known as PX and many other variations) is the name of a white Spanish wine grape variety grown in several Spanish wine regions. The wine produced is intensely sweet, dark, and dessert like. Before this wine is made the grapes are dried under the hot Spanish sun, concentrating the sweetness, following this process the grapes are crushed to produce a black liquid with a strong taste of molasses, raisins, and figs.
The depth of flavour from this 14 year old Irish single malt whiskey is fantastic. It owes a lot of that flavour to the time it was finished in the Pedro Ximénez casks. It makes me think of chocolate biscuit cake, raisins, figs and aromatic spice.
Teeling Brabazon #3 Whiskey Information:
Region: Ireland
Distiller: Teeling
Bonder: Teeling
Mashbill: Malted Barley
Cask: Bourbon & PX -Pedro Ximénez
Age: 14 years
ABV: 46% – 92% Proof
Filtered: Non-Chill Filtered
Teeling Brabazon Number 3 Tasting Notes:
The Teeling Family have done it again and have managed to produce one of my favourite releases of the year. Limited to 10,000 bottles and bottled at 49.5% with no chill filtration, this is truly an Irish whiskey to savour. You can Taste the age and quality in every last drop of this fantastic whiskey.
NOSE
Fruitcake and plum pudding, with a good dollop of brandy butter. baked apples and plum marmalade. Roasted almonds and sultanas kick in, as does a hint of candied sugar. Lastly a green note that I cannot quite put the finger on. Sage?
PALATE
Ohhhh the mouth feel here is luxurious. Brabazon 3 is nice and oily, almost buttery in texture. On your tounge it feels like eating a square soft caramel, lightly salted and it is wonderfully sweet. Orchard fruits are drenched in sweet toffee, dark chocolate biscuit cake, sultanas and plums. There is a an element there that reminds me of a freshly baked apple pie. You need to sit with this whiskey and let it roll around your mouth. Brabazon 3 is an Irish whiskey to savoir, it evolves as you taste each drop, dark cloves, sweet figs and spicy notes of nutmeg and dried plums. There is a salty caramel note that reminds me of tasting Bean & Goose dark salted chocolate, delicious!!
FINISH
Depths of orchid fruit flavors dissipate into toasted brown sugar, dark berries and cinnamon. The finish is medium to long, the dark fruits fade sweetly and then dries out quickly. Like a sweet ripe grape in the summer sun, it’s gone too soon.
Every Whiskey Tells a Story, What Will Yours Be?
Sláinte from The Whiskey Trail
#EatDrinkExplore – By Paul Kavanagh