Teaninich 15 Years Old 1991 (Connoisseurs Choice)

An independent Teaninich, picked by Gordon & MacPhail, aged 15 year old from 1991 and bottled at 46%. Teaninich, a large Highland distillery beside the River Averon at Alness, was founded in 1817 by a Napoleonic veteran. 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 sherry cask wrapped the light spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth. Around the mid teens the malt gains a fuller, oilier body over the grass. The cool Highland climate gives a slow, even maturation over the years. By the 1970s Teaninich was already one of the largest distilleries in Scotland. The River Averon runs beside the distillery on its way to the firth. A long fermentation builds the fresh, green fruit the blenders prize.

At an approachable 46% it is light and balanced. The Oloroso adds figgy fruit and a warm nuttiness, and the refill oak lending honey and vanilla runs under green apple, grass and a light honey. Beneath it run cut grass, citrus and a soft wax. It closes clean, grassy and waxy. This is a fresh, waxy Highland single malt.