As a whisky enthusiast and advisor at Comptoir Irlandais, join me every month for a journey into the heart of the world of spirits. Through my publications, I will share with you my impressions, my favourites and all the knowledge I have acquired about these exceptional drinks. I will also take you on a tour of fascinating distilleries and share the secrets of their expertise. An unmissable event for whisky enthusiasts and the curious!
Episode 10: Teeling — The rebirth of an Irish legend, between tradition and modernity
And this month, we're heading to the Teeling Whiskey Company: a Dublin revival that combines heritage and creativity.
And this time, I'm back to tell you about my own experience!
Origins & rebirth
Teeling's roots are deeply embedded in the history of Dublin itself. It all began in 1782, when Walter Teeling set up his distillery on Marrowbone Lane, in the heart of the Liberties district. Fun fact: the Teeling house, featured on the logos of the premium bottles, is located just behind the distillery, a nod to the family's history.
At the time, this neighbourhood was home to the largest number of licensed distilleries... and then others that were, shall we say, a little more discreet. In short, if you were looking for whisky, you didn't have to look very far. Then came the Liberties disaster, a huge fire that ravaged a whole section of the neighbourhood. And as if the flames weren't enough, the distillery stills began to leak, spilling their contents onto the streets. Some residents, too curious or too 'enthusiastic' (or both), tried to collect the precious liquid with their hats. An idea that seems almost funny from a distance... but which unfortunately cost them their lives through intoxication. Dublin has never forgotten this episode, both tragic and absurd. It was in the midst of this turbulent past that the Teeling family decided to take up the torch. In 2012, Jack and Stephen Teeling relaunched the brand thanks to old stocks and a good dose of ambition. And in 2015, they opened the first distillery in Dublin in over 125 years. Needless to say, for enthusiasts, it came as a huge and wonderful surprise. To represent their new venture, they chose the phoenix. It could hardly be more symbolic: a distillery reborn in its own neighbourhood after fires, closures and silence. But that is exactly what they have achieved: bringing distilling back to the heart of Dublin, with a blend of tradition and a good dose of modernity.
During my visit in October 2023, this link with history is palpable as soon as you step inside the building. The welcome is warm, almost intimate, and the scent of malt hangs in the air, reminding you that this distillery is fully embracing its heritage while looking to the future.
Location & context
The Teeling Distillery has set up shop in Newmarket Square, in the heart of the Liberties, almost on the site of the old family distillery. It's a real return to their roots. Replanting their stills here was a bit like winding up an old clock: memories come flooding back, stories take their place once more, and the neighbourhood rediscovers that warm whiskey aroma that had been missing for far too long. But the distillery doesn't just produce excellent spirits: it's reviving an entire neighbourhood. The opening of the distillery has attracted and continues to attract curious visitors, enthusiasts and even a few sceptics, who often leave with a smile (and a bottle). During my visit, strolling through the neighbourhood before heading to the distillery allowed me to soak up this unique atmosphere. The energy of Dublin city centre mingles with the memory of whiskey, and arriving at the modern, recently completed but welcoming building is a real pleasure. Ultimately, Teeling doesn't just make whiskey. It repairs a piece of local memory, reweaving a link between the Dublin of yesterday and today. And that's a wonderful angle to tell, especially here, where I love to share stories and legends that come back to life and places that take you on a journey.
Current technology and expertise
On site, I was able to see the entire brewing and fermentation process and smell the aromas that instantly transport you.
The magic of Teeling continues with its copper stills, three veritable giants that stand proudly at the heart of the distillery: a 15,000-litre wash still, a 10,000-litre intermediate still and a 9,000-litre spirit still. Together, they have the capacity to produce around 500,000 litres of whisky per year, enough to delight even the most demanding connoisseurs... and those who especially love the smell of malt heated in copper! (me) Fun fact: each still is named after Jack Teeling's daughters: Rebecca, Natalie and Alison!
In the early years, visitors could admire these stills without tasting the local creations, but everything changed in 2018: the first whiskeys distilled on site were bottled, including a remarkable single pot still, symbolising the return of Dublin-made whiskey. For purists, it was a real moment of triumph: the capital was finally rediscovering its malty voice after more than a century of silence. The ageing process is explained in detail, even though the casks are not on site for obvious safety reasons: it's better not to start another fire in the centre of Dublin! It would be a shame to do it again.
Ranges & style
Teeling's regular range offers a variety of flavours to suit all palates: single malt, single pot still, single grain and even a peated whisky! Each bottle bears the mark of meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail, revealing the care and passion behind each expression. Speaking of Single Pot Still... here's a little anecdote: this unique style was born out of the Irish people's ingenuity to pay less tax on malted barley in the 19th century! This blend of malted and unmalted barley, distilled three times in a pot still, has become over time the symbol of Irish whiskey, rich and proudly rooted in the history of Dublin. As for Blackpitts, it is one of those rare birds (no pun intended – the phoenix/rare bird... anyway): a triple-distilled peated Irish single malt, which is almost impossible to find elsewhere. A gem for connoisseurs, while Cask Strength remains double-distilled in the Scottish style. Teeling has a few gems in store for enthusiasts and collectors: special or limited editions, real treasures for those who love to explore the creativity of master distillers. These bottles offer the opportunity to discover new aromatic facets, or simply to own a little piece of Dublin's history. Teeling likes to play with cask finishes, giving each whiskey its own unique personality. Whether it's a wine cask with the Sommelier Selection ranges, or noble woods with Wonders of Wood, each bottle tells a different story and surprises with its aromas. A real playground for the nose and palate, where tradition meets inventiveness, and where each tasting becomes a little adventure. In the coming weeks, we will even be releasing a 21-year-old whisky aged in Ruby Port casks (it will be available for tasting at our last masterclass of 2025 in our Paris 13 boutique).
Irish Counter & special links
Here at The Comptoir, we are fortunate and privileged to be able to offer you many exclusive products every year. Our love for Ireland and Dublin (no kidding) combined with our passion for whisky has allowed us to forge a genuine friendship with Teeling from the very beginning. It is with good reason that we showcase this range, dedicate an entire section to it, and organise wonderful masterclasses with Baptiste, Teeling's ambassador for France, to share this passion with you.
Dates for late 2025 (contact your store to register for free!):
Brest on 22/10/2025
Nancy on 28/10/2025
Libourne on 5 November 2025
Besançon on 18 November 2025
Nantes on 9 December 2025
Paris 11 on 16 December 2025
Paris 13 on 19 December 2025
My experience on site
During my visit, I really felt the energy of the distillery: between the history, the scent of malt and the modernity of the premises, everything is designed to make you feel both privileged and transported. The Phoenix Café is perfect for a gourmet break with good Irish tea and a pastry before starting the tour. Sophie, my guide, speaks several languages, which I think makes the tour accessible to everyone, a real bonus for international visitors. The tour is a real journey: brewing, fermentation, stills, and even a glimpse of the ageing process. And depending on the package you choose, you can even bottle your own whisky, a unique experience to take home with you!
I ended my visit to the Bang Bang Bar with a tasting of the classics I already knew well, enjoying the view of the neighbourhood, being a big fan of Teeling and already having several bottles in my personal bar.
Then, without any objectivity of course, the best Irish coffee ever. I'm nice, so here's the recipe in video:
Ingredients
40 ml Teeling Small Batch
120 ml freshly ground coffee
20 ml spiced stout syrup (can be replaced with Demerara syrup or brown sugar and water)
Whipped cream
Freshly grated nutmeg
Preparation
Preheat the glass with a little hot water, then discard the water. Add the Teeling whisky, stout syrup and coffee, and stir. Warm a large spoon and gently pour the cream over the back of the spoon, then onto the coffee. Sprinkle lightly with grated nutmeg and enjoy with friends!
In short, whether you come for the atmosphere, the tea room, the bar or the technical tour, every experience is worth the detour. A distillery steeped in history and love, exactly as we dream of and as I love to share with you!
Written by Philomène B.
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