Teaninich 11 Years Old 2009 Cask #707398 A (Huang Qing Feng)

Huang Qing Feng selected this Teaninich matured to 11 year old from 2009, drawn from cask 707398 A and bottled at 57.4%. A release of 18 bottles. Set at Alness in Easter Ross, Teaninich has distilled since 1817. Fat copper stills add an oily texture to the clean, grassy spirit.

It was worked through the distillery's stills from a very clear wort, for the light, grassy, oily make Teaninich is known for. Ex-Sherry wood added a dried fruit richness to the green make. Still young, the malt is grassy and oily with a citrus lift. Refill oak lets the green, grassy distillery character lead. Teaninich Castle nearby, once the family seat, is now a hotel and restaurant. 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 a full 57.4% it is intense yet fresh. The Oloroso brings dried fruit, fig and a nutty depth, and a fresh, oily grassiness meet a quiet vanilla from the refill oak. The texture is light and oily, the grass threaded with honey. The finish is waxy, green and lively. This is a light, grassy Highland single malt.