Teaninich 11 Years Old 2008 Lord of the Highlands White Label (Whiskykeller)

Single malt Teaninich, drawn and bottled by Whiskykeller, an 11 year old from 2008 and bottled at 47.2%. The outturn was 120 bottles. Teaninich was first built in 1817 in Easter Ross, north of Inverness; it is one of Diageo's largest distilleries. The mash filter gives an ultra clear wort, the source of its fragrant, green tea grassiness.

The spirit was made from a mash filter wort for a clean, grassy spirit, for a clean, oily make of real freshness. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, lending honey and vanilla. At this age the spirit is fresh and green, cut grass and citrus to the fore. Sherry wood suits the light make, lending dried fruit and a nutty depth. Robert Innes Cameron, an Elgin blender, became sole owner in 1904. The Munro family ran the distillery through two generations before selling. The Cromarty Firth nearby is one of few UK waters home to bottlenose dolphins.

At 47.2%, undiluted, it is deep and grassy. Vanilla and a light cream from the barrel, with cut grass, green tea and a soft citrus. Beneath it run cut grass, citrus and a soft wax. The close is fresh, grass over gentle oak. This is a rare single malt from a blending giant.