Teaninich 13 Years Old 2009 Cask #8, 17, 18, 19 (Signatory)

An independent Teaninich, released by Signatory Vintage, aged 13 year old from 2009, drawn from cask 8, 17, 18, 19 and bottled at 46%. Teaninich, a large Highland distillery beside the River Averon at Alness, was built in 1817. Teaninich is Diageo's third largest distillery, and almost all its make goes to blends.

Mashed through a mash filter for an ultra clear wort and distilled in fat copper stills, giving the fresh, green spirit at its heart. A refill American oak cask held it, keeping the green character to the fore. Around the mid teens the malt gains a fuller, oilier body over the grass. Fat stills give a waxy texture that carries the cask flavour. 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. That ultra clear wort is the source of Teaninich's fragrant, green tea grassiness.

At 46% it is smooth and grassy. The refill oak lending honey and vanilla, with citrus, cut grass and a waxy lift. Soft orchard fruit and grass sit behind the sweetness. A grassy, gently spiced finish lingers. This is the green, waxy malt of Alness.