Teaninich 15 Years Old 1993 (Connoisseurs Choice)

Bottled by Gordon & MacPhail, this Teaninich, a 15 year old Highland malt from 1993 and bottled at 43%. Teaninich was founded in 1817 by Captain Hugh Munro in the northern Highlands at Alness, and it sends almost all of its make to blends. It is the only Scotch malt distillery to mash through a mash filter rather than a mash tun.

The spirit was run from a clear wort through the distillery's tall stills, to build a clean, waxy, grassy character. Maturation in a sherry cask laid dried fruit over the grassy malt. Mid age brings a deeper honey and a riper green fruit. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the grassy, waxy core over time. A 2013 expansion added a new six still house, more than doubling capacity. Most casks are refill ex-Bourbon, which lets the grassy spirit show through. Captain Hugh Munro built the distillery to give his tenants' barley a buyer.

At 43% it is soft, green and oily. Raisin and a nutty sherry depth build, and a fresh, oily grassiness meet soft vanilla and honey from the cask. The texture is light and oily, the grass threaded with honey. The finish runs fresh, green and oily. This is a light, grassy Highland single malt.