Teaninich 13 Years Old 2009 Cask #716909 (Global Whisky Limited)

Global Whisky Limited selected this Teaninich, aged 13 year old from 2009, drawn from cask 716909 and bottled at 57.1%. 300 bottles in all. Opened in 1817 on the Teaninich estate north of Inverness at Alness, Teaninich is a big Highland workhorse. Teaninich is Diageo's third largest distillery, and almost all its make goes to blends.

It was drawn off fat copper stills fed by a uniquely clear wort, for a fragrant spirit with a green tea lift. Maturation in a wine cask lent red berry and a soft spice. Past a decade the grass deepens, the wax and a soft honey building over green fruit. Years in oak round the spirit, the grass and wax deepening with age. By the 1970s Teaninich was already one of the largest distilleries in Scotland. The River Averon runs beside the distillery on its way to the firth. A long fermentation builds the fresh, green fruit the blenders prize.

At a full 57.1% it is intense yet fresh. The Port cask adds plum and red berry, and a gentle vanilla from the wood, with cut grass, green tea and a soft citrus. A green tea and a lemon note lift it. It closes clean, grassy and waxy. This is a rare single malt from a blending giant.