Teeling x Dot Brew IPA Cask (NAS)A Citrus-Splashed Whirlwind of Malt and Hops What we have here is Teeling's signature single malt - bright, triple-distilled, and barley-forward - finished in casks that previously held Dot Brew's hop-heavy India Pale Ale. That's no simple finish: IPAs, with their intense aromatics and bitter signatures, can easily overwhelm a delicate spirit. But Teeling's house style is resilient - fresh, fruit-driven, and full of structure. The result is a whisky that tastes like a summer evening: lively, unexpected, and slightly irreverent. The nose leaps from the glass with notes of grapefruit zest, lemon verbena, and freshly snapped hop flowers. There's a vibrant green note - think cut grass or basil - sitting on a backbone of apple skin, malted barley, and the lightest touch of white oak spice. It smells like a brewer's garden in bloom. On the palate, the first impression is all citrus oils, lime cordial, and green tea. Then the IPA cask shows its hand: a gentle bitterness rises, beautifully integrated, adding grip and contrast to the sweet grain and vanilla fudge underneath. There's a note of cereal biscuit, a flash of pine resin, and a curious thread of mango pith and cracked white pepper that keeps the mouth engaged. The finish is clean, snappy, and dry - lemon peel, peppercorn, and a final fade of dried hops and barley straw. Not long, but precise - like a sentence that ends on just the right word. A Cask Finish with Actual IntentToo often, beer cask finishes feel like novelties - gestures rather than expressions. Not here. This feels like a true dialogue between distiller and brewer, a careful handoff between craft disciplines. Dot Brew's IPA influence adds not just flavour, but structure, turning the natural sweetness of Teeling's malt into something altogether sharper, brighter, more electric. It's not a whisky for firesides or after-dinner ruminations. It's for sunlight, conversation, and a bit of cheek. Final ThoughtTeeling x Dot Brew IPA Cask is a testament to what happens when two creative forces meet on equal terms. It's not for everyone - and it doesn't need to be. It's zesty, clever, and unmistakably alive. It's not just a dram.It's Dublin in a glass - hopped, high-spirited, and just a little rebellious.
