Teaninich 15 Years Old 2008 (Original Collection)

Cadenhead's bottled this Teaninich single malt matured to 15 year old from 2008 and bottled at 46%. Set at Alness in Easter Ross, Teaninich has distilled since 1817. Fat copper stills add an oily texture to the clean, grassy spirit.

It was worked through the distillery's stills from a very clear wort, for the light, grassy, oily make Teaninich is known for. Ex-Bourbon casks held the spirit, soft oak that lets the grass lead. Around the mid teens the malt gains a fuller, oilier body over the grass. The ultra clear wort from the mash filter is the source of the green, grassy character. The River Averon runs beside the distillery on its way to the firth. A long fermentation builds the fresh, green fruit the blenders prize. 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 46% it is soft, green and oily. Grass, pear and a gentle wax meet a quiet vanilla from the refill oak. Soft orchard fruit and grass sit behind the sweetness. Cut grass and citrus draw out the close. This is Teaninich's clean, grassy Highland style.