 |
Roadtrip Interlude: Dublin
|
Due to personal circumstances within the group of travelers we did not manage to organize a Whisky trip in 2016. However towards the end of the summer it did start to itch and we booked a weekend Dublin. So come September 2nd we boarded the plane and started our City trip. After short flight and a shuttle bus ride into town we found our Hotel and stumped of to find something to eat. We managed to this in the The Bleeding Horse. A very good burger and a few pints later we called it a night.
 |
 |
 |
As we had booked a afternoon tour at Teeling we had the morning to do some investigation at the The Guiness Storehouse. Here we did the tour and obviously had the famous black pint.
While wandering the streets of Dublin we managed to find a dry spot visiting the Irish Rock and Roll Museum Experience. This was completely not what we expected. It was not a museum like type of venue, but these are actual recording studios, practice areas, and a concert venue where still music is recorded and performed. Over the cause of time famous local and international artists have recorded and performed here.
 |
 |
 |
While the weather was against us we made another stop at the famous Temple Bar Pub to dry up. But after this short intermezzo it was finally time to visit the main attraction for this weekend...
 |
The Teeling Distillery
|
Following the signs we found ourselves quickly on the Newmarket and in front of the Teeling Distillery.
 |
 |
 |
After getting our ticket and wristband we wondered the reception area with the history of Whiskey and Teeling in Dublin displayed on several big display boards.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
After a few minutes of waiting we were maneuvered in a small area where a short movie on the history and the start of the Teeling Distillery in Dublin is shown. Unfortunately the group was so big that it was not easy for everybody to get a good position.
 |
 |
After the movie you will enter the production area. I remembered the area to be a big concrete slab. However being a little bit more prepared in comparison to the previous visit I noticed now that the production floor is actually a raised floor. Before you take the stairs to the production floor you can have a quick look of the piping area under the platform. It is pretty clear that everything is new and state of the art.
 |
 |
The barrels of ingrediënts required to make Whiskey, which I forgot the last time, where still there and a willing victim to the camera.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
To make sure the story is complete the mill had to be included in the pictures again.
 |
 |
The lauter tun.
 |
 |
 |
The fermenters new style (stainless) and old style (wooden) this time in production. Most likely because of the size of the group there were no offerings to taste the "beer".
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
And the always present coppers stills. Three in total for the Triple Distilled Whiskey, and named after the daughters of the Teeling brothers.
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The traditional spirit safe is just for show and you could see the fully automated spirit safe, to separate the head and tail from the body, between Alison and Natalie shaped like a big cylinder.
 |
 |
And then it is of to the warehouse, or at least a mock up, where you learn about the wood, barrels and the always present Angel's share. As stated this is just a mock up since it is too dangerous to store all this flammable alcohol in the center of Dublin. Therefore the actual spirit is trucked outside of Dublin. There it will be pumped into barrels and casks for there (at least) three years of maturing. And then to the bottles.
 |
 |
 |
Last but not least you will do the tasting that is part of the tour you selected. In our case we got to taste the
- Teeling Single Malt
- Teeling Revival Vol.2 - Calvados
- Teeling Single Cask
 |
 |
 |
But as you end up in the bar any way we also tasted the
- Teeling Small Batch
- Teeling Single Grain
to complete the range. The two bartenders saved the day. Due to the size of the group on the tour it was difficult for the guide to step outside of the "standard tale". This was a little disappointing. Let me be clear that this was not due to the skills of the guide. It is just difficult to make sure with such a big and diverse group of attendees to keep it interesting for everybody. But as said the bartenders saved the day with answering outstanding questions, information on Whiskey's served and general good humor.
Then it was off to the shop to hunt for souvenirs.
 |
Irish Whiskey Museum
|
As this was just a weekend trip we would be bound for home today. But not before we made a stop at the Irish Whisky Museum. Totally different from a Distillery tour, but totally worth it if you would like to learn something about the history of Irish Whiskey. The entrance is filled with "cask ends" and the stairs is welcoming you in multiple languages. You can use the lift for free.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The tour takes you through several life size dioramas of days gone by and the tour guide is supported by big "live action" video walls. The stories will tell about the rise and fall of the Irish Whiskey Industry, Distilleries and not to be forgotten the Irish Coffee. Due to the entertaining nature of the tour you are in the tasting area of the museum where you will presented with several Whiskeys to taste accompanied with an thorough explanation. In our case we were treated with
- Glendalough Double Barrel
- Teeling small batch
- Powers Gold Label
- Knappogue Castle 12 y/o
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
And then it was off to the Airport and back home. Traveling by plane and with just hand luggage you are restricted to bring back bottles. But all in all it was worth it and still made a good score in the souvenir section.
 |
--- end of page ---
