Teaninich 10 Years Old 2007 Hepburn’s Choice (Langside Distillers)

A Teaninich single malt, picked by Langside Distillers, aged 10 year old from 2007 and bottled at 46%. 804 bottles in all. Teaninich was opened in 1817 on the Teaninich estate in Easter Ross, north of Inverness; it is a key malt of Johnnie Walker. Teaninich is Diageo's third largest distillery, and almost all its make goes to blends.

The spirit was made from a mash filter wort for a clean, grassy spirit, for a clean, oily make of real freshness. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding a light honeyed sweetness. Younger here, it keeps a clean, grassy freshness over a waxy texture. Most Teaninich is filled into refill ex-Bourbon, letting the make show through. Most casks are refill ex-Bourbon, which lets the grassy spirit show through. Captain Hugh Munro built the distillery to give his tenants' barley a buyer. Almost all of its make is destined for blends rather than single malt. A hammer mill and mash filter, installed in 2000, replaced the traditional mash tun.

At an easy 46% it is gentle. Vanilla and a light cream from the barrel runs under green apple, grass and a light honey. Beneath it run cut grass, citrus and a soft wax. It closes clean, grassy and waxy. This is a fresh, waxy Highland single malt.