Teaninich 10 Years Old 2013 (Phil & Simon Thompson)

A Teaninich single malt, chosen and bottled by Phil & Simon Thompson matured to 10 year old from 2013 and bottled at 50%. Only 482 bottles were released. Teaninich was established in 1817 in the northern Highlands at Alness, and it has long been prized by blenders. Fat copper stills add an oily texture to the clean, grassy spirit.

The spirit was run from a clear wort through the distillery's tall stills, to build a clean, waxy, grassy character. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, with vanilla under the grassy spirit. Still young, the malt is grassy and oily with a citrus lift. The penetrating, fresh acidity of the spirit keeps it lively with age. 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. A long fermentation of around 75 hours builds the fresh, fruity notes.

At its natural 50% it is concentrated. Green tea, lemon and a soft spice sit alongside soft vanilla and honey from the cask. The mouthfeel is waxy, the citrus carried on a grassy body. A clean, gently waxy finish lingers. This is a Johnnie Walker workhorse from the Highlands.