Teaninich 12 Years Old 2011 Cask #AM160 (Asta Morris)

This is a Teaninich single malt, chosen and bottled by Asta Morris, a 12 year old Highland malt from 2011, drawn from cask AM160 and bottled at 51.5%. Only 633 bottles were released. Teaninich, built in 1817 near the Cromarty Firth at Alness, is a key malt of Johnnie Walker. It is the only Scotch malt distillery to mash through a mash filter rather than a mash tun.

Distilled on Highland spring water through fat copper stills, building the light Highland style blenders prize. A wine cask shaped it, the fruit meeting the green, oily spirit. By this age the green spirit rounds into orchard fruit and a waxy depth. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the grassy, waxy core over time. 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 51.5%, undiluted, it is deep and grassy. The wine cask lends red berry and a dry spice, and green tea, lemon and a soft spice sit alongside honeyed oak sweetness underneath. It is fresh and clean, the green spirit shining through. A grassy, gently spiced finish lingers. This is a Johnnie Walker workhorse from the Highlands.