Teaninich 13 Years Old 2012 Cask #704869 (Milroy’s of Soho)

Bottled by Milroy's of Soho, this Teaninich, a 13 year old Highland malt from 2012, drawn from cask 704869 and bottled at 51.5%. Teaninich was built in 1817 in Easter Ross, north of Inverness; it uses a mash filter found nowhere else in Scotch. It stands near Dalmore and Glenmorangie in the Cromarty Firth country.

The spirit was made from a mash filter wort for a clean, grassy spirit, for a clean, oily make of real freshness. A refill American oak cask held it, keeping the green character to the fore. Mid age brings a deeper honey and a riper green fruit. Years in oak round the spirit, the grass and wax deepening with age. That ultra clear wort is the source of Teaninich's fragrant, green tea grassiness. 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.

At a natural 51.5% it is full and oily. Vanilla and a light cream from the barrel, with cut grass, green tea and a soft citrus. A green tea and a lemon note lift it. It finishes clean, fresh and grassy. This is a rare single malt from a blending giant.