Teeling 16 Year old Irish Single Malt Marsala Finish Phoenix Legends 2 Notre Dame Series Whiskey 700ML

Teeling 16 Year Old Irish Single Malt Marsala Finish Phoenix Legends 2 Notre Dame Series Whiskey 700ML is a limited-edition 16-year-old Irish single malt whiskey finished in Sicilian Marsala wine casks, bottled at 46% ABV. This expression belongs to Teeling's Phoenix Legends 2 Notre Dame Series, a collector-focused range that pairs extended maturation with an uncommon fortified-wine cask finish rarely seen in Irish whiskey.

Quick Facts: ABV: 46%  |  Origin: Dublin, Ireland  |  Age: 16 Years  |  Cask Finish: Marsala  |  Distillery: Teeling Whiskey

Production & Heritage

Teeling Whiskey Company was founded by Jack Teeling in 2012, with its Dublin distillery opening in 2015 in the city's historic Liberties district — the first new distillery to operate in Dublin in over 125 years. The Teeling family's roots in Irish whiskey stretch back to 1782, when Walter Teeling established a distillery on Marrowbone Lane. This 16-year-old single malt was distilled from 100% malted barley, initially matured in traditional oak casks, and then given a secondary finishing period in casks that previously held Marsala, the renowned fortified wine from western Sicily. Bottled at a non-chill filtered 46% ABV, the whiskey retains its full body and natural oils, allowing the interplay between extended oak aging and the Marsala cask influence to come through without compromise.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe dark cherries, stewed plums, and candied orange peel rise first, followed by a layer of toasted almond and baking spice. A subtle thread of aged oak and dried herbs lingers beneath the fruit-forward top notes.

Taste: The entry is smooth and honeyed, transitioning into a mid-palate rich with fig preserve, dark chocolate, and warm cinnamon. At peak intensity, the Marsala influence becomes most apparent — a savory, slightly tannic dried-fruit sweetness balanced by malt and gentle oak tannins that keep the whiskey structured rather than cloying.

Finish: Long and layered, with lingering notes of walnut, dried apricot, and a whisper of black pepper. The finish dries gracefully, leaving behind the signature malt character with a final echo of Marsala sweetness.

How to Drink Teeling 16 Year

A whiskey of this age and complexity is best appreciated neat, perhaps with a few drops of water to open the Marsala-influenced aromatics. A single large ice cube can also gently lower the proof without muting the layered palate.

• Rob Roy: The Marsala-driven dried-fruit notes pair beautifully with sweet vermouth and Angostura bitters, adding depth to this classic.
• Tipperary Cocktail: An Irish twist using green Chartreuse and sweet vermouth, where the whiskey's dark-fruit character anchors the herbal complexity.
• Old Fashioned: The inherent sweetness from the Marsala finish means less added sugar is needed, letting the aged malt and oak speak clearly.

Best For

• Gifting a serious Irish whiskey collector or Notre Dame alumnus
• Adding a rare limited-edition bottle to a curated home whiskey library
• Marking a milestone celebration with an aged, distinctive pour
• Guided tastings comparing fortified-wine cask finishes across different distilleries

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Teeling 16 Year taste like? This single malt delivers rich dried-fruit sweetness — figs, plums, and candied orange — layered over dark chocolate, malt, and warm baking spice, with a long, gently tannic finish influenced by Marsala wine casks.

How does Teeling 16 Year compare to Redbreast 15? Both are premium aged Irish whiskeys, but Teeling 17 Year is a single malt finished in Marsala casks while Redbreast 15 is a single pot still whiskey matured in bourbon and sherry casks, giving Redbreast a spicier pot-still character versus Teeling's darker, more fruit-forward profile.

Is Teeling 16 Year good for sipping neat? Absolutely — at 46% ABV and non-chill filtered, it was designed for contemplative neat sipping, with enough complexity and length to reward slow, attentive drinking.

Where is Teeling 16 Year made? Teeling Whiskey is produced at the Teeling Distillery in The Liberties, Dublin, Ireland — the first distillery to resume operations in that historic whiskey-producing neighborhood in over 125 years.

What foods pair well with Teeling 16 Year? Dark chocolate truffles complement the Marsala-driven fruit notes; aged Parmigiano-Reggiano mirrors the whiskey's savory depth; roasted duck with a cherry reduction echoes its dark-fruit character; fig and walnut bread amplifies the finish; and Sicilian cannoli creates a natural bridge to the Marsala cask influence.

What sizes does Teeling 16 Year come in? This expression is available in a 700ML bottle, which is the standard size for this limited Notre Dame Series release.

Is Teeling 16 Year worth the price? Positioned as a premium limited-edition expression, this 16-year-old single malt with an uncommon Marsala cask finish sits in the upper tier of Irish whiskey pricing, justified by its extended maturation, distinctive finishing, and collector-series exclusivity.

Why Teeling 16 Year?

What sets this whiskey apart is the convergence of serious age and an unusual finishing cask — Marsala finishes remain exceptionally rare in Irish whiskey, and 16 years of maturation provides a backbone that prevents the cask influence from overwhelming the malt. As part of the Phoenix Legends Notre Dame Series, this is a purpose-built collector's release from a distillery that has quickly earned respect for pushing Irish whiskey beyond its traditional flavor boundaries. The non-chill filtered bottling at 46% ABV ensures full textural integrity, making each pour a genuine representation of what extended aging and thoughtful cask selection can achieve in a modern Dublin distillery with deep historical roots.