ITS FINALLY HERE
On the 18th of July 2009, Telser Distillery brought the first ever Liechtenstein whisky on the market. Marcel Telser is a 4th generation master distiller and after his numerous trips that he made through the heartlands of Scotland, he became intensely involved in the making of whisky. Years of investigation passed, which led to numerous discussions being held with Scottish whisky producers, before the decision to implement the idea of the 1st Liechtenstein whisky>>was made.
WITH MUCH PATIENCE --TO AN EXCELLENT WHISKY
In May 2006, the barley was mixed and ground by hand, under expert supervision, in the copper kettles of Telser Distillery. After the brewing, the wort rested for ten days at an ideal temperature for fermentation. Subsequently, the wort of Marcel’s father, Sebastian Telser, who is a master distiller with over 40 years experience, was distilled in copper kettles by a well tested wood firing method. This process requires experience, patience and tact, but it’s the distillation that gives it unique character.
Over the last few years, the whisky has been stored in its own vault cellar which is over 500 years old and has a natural soil floor. Refilled in Pinot Noir barrels, it matured into a mild whiskey with a moderate character and decisive peat flavour. The Telser distillery itself, was first recorded in documents in 1880.
DEGUSTATIONS NOTE
Arthur Nägele, director of education at the Spirits Academy, judgesTelsington: "In the nose clearly malty with a soft red wine aroma in the background. Somewhat of a wood dominant aroma with a subtle scent of tobacco. On the palate there’s a hint of wine again, supported by the aroma of roasted wood, the finish is a malty sweetness dominate by a bitter-spicy tone of cocoa.
SPEZIFICATION
Start Year: 2006
Master Distiller: Marcel & Sebastian Telser
Barrel: Used Pinot Noir barrels (single cask)
Color: mild Amber
Character: medium with a decisive peat flavour
Bottling Year: 2009 (unchill-filtered)
Bottle Size: 50cl
Alcohol: 42% by volume
Limit: 560 numbered bottles
HOW WE DIFFER
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•Use of fresh, natural spring water from the Alps of Liechtenstein
• The grinding and distillation of the malt, includes the wheat fruit (not only the liquid seasoning) for maximum Aroma
• Distillation with wood firing in our, rather small, copper kettles. Advantage: balanced warming _of the wort. The _result is a flawless and exceptionally fine whisky.
• Casks constructed out of selected oak. For this, we used freshly emptied barrels, in which previously a _high quality _regional Pinot Noir (red wine) that has been established for 2000 years.
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_ In June the Telsington was given to the internationally-known expert - Jim Murray - to be_evaluated and included in _his standard work "Whisky Bible", which is currently being updated. (see above left)
TRIPLE DISTILLED SINGLE CASK WHISKY
We are probably the only commercial distillery in Europe that still traditionally burns their distillates over a wood fire.This, together with the crystal clear waters of our Triesen mountain source is what gives our high-quality distillates their unique and distinctive character. And that for over 125 years.
Our distillery has been located on the same site since 1880: A protected historic building with a 500 year old vaulted cellar and natural soil floor. Here, our distillates can mature without any use of additives. All natural - no ifs and buts. This, and the use of the finest, hand-picked resources is what gives us the reputation, again and again, as one of the most prestigious distilleries in the german speaking area. Find out more about us at www.brennerei-telser.com or visit us in our Retail outlet. It’s well worth seeing. Located at Dorfstrasse 67, 9495 Triesen, Liechtenstein
JIM MURRAY‘S DEGUSTATION NOTES OF THE 2010 WHISKY BIBLE
Liechtenstein Telser
Telsington (94)
n23 rarely are Pinot Noirs particularly salty. And never, in my experience, smoky. Yet salt and light iodine abound in a seaweedy coastal romp. The fruity does turn up, but only once the nose has accustomed itself to the massive onslaught it has faced. Welcome to whisky from Liechtenstein... and it has not arrived quietly...
t23.5 the tastebuds are immediately enveloped in the most slinky of fruity gloves - and yet at the same time a fruit rock-hard one... Pinot at play..!! To complicate matters, the vague smokiness drifts around, landing feeble slaps and punches. And on another layer altogether a juicier barley note abounds: what a delight...
f23.5 although a certain bitterness from the oak comes into play, it is supremely controlled by the deft fruit and barley which play a similar tune to earlier, except now more softly
b24 now here's a conundrum if not irony. The first ever whisky from probably the most land-locked country in the whole of Europe, and it has the aroma of a rock pool found on a Hebridean island of about the same, tiny size. As for the whisky? What can I say? The last time I stayed in this beautiful, idiosyncratic country I had no option other than to spend the night in the worst hotel I have encountered in the western world. Thankfully the new distillery does not perform to such pitful standards. This is not just good whisk, it is outstanding: far, far better than it has any right to be at first attempt. Obviously a fourth visit to Vaduz is now called for: this whisky is worth another night of misery and rudeness. I seriously need to shake the hand of the distiller...this is the most entertainingly delicious whisky I have tasted from mainland Europe this year. 40%
Score Chart:
00-50 – Nothing short of absolutely diabolical
51-64 – Nasty and well worth avoiding
65-69 – Very unimpressive indeed
70-74 – Usually drinkable but don’t expect the earth to move
75-79 – Average and usually pleasant though sometimes flawed.
80-84 – Good whisky worth trying
85-89 – Very good to excellent whiskies definitely worth buying.
90-93 – Brilliant.
94-97 – Superstar whiskies that give us all a reason to live
98-100 – Better than anything I’ve ever tasted.
Key to Abbreviations and Symbols:
% Percentage strength of whisky measured as alcohol by volume.
b – Overall balance and complexity
bott – Date of bottling
db – Distillery bottling. In other words, an expression brought out by the owner of the distillery.
dist– Date of distillation or spirit first put into cask.
f – Finish
n – Nose
nc – Non coloured
ncf – Non chill-filtered
sc – Single cask
t – Taste
TRIPLE DISTILLED - SINGLE CASK - MATURED IN A PINOT NOIR BARRIQUE CASK - UNCHILL-FILTERED - 100% HANDCRAFTED IN THE PRINCIPALITY OF LIECHTENSTEIN - 560 BOTTLES LIMITED
„...this is the most entertainingly delicious whisky I have tasted from mainland Europe this year.“
Jim Murray, Whisky Bible 2010
Links
Inquiries-send directly to:
The Master Distiller - Marcel Telser: Email
Have a look at the full degustation note at the end of this site.
