Teaninich 16 Years Old 2004 Cask #301139 (Lady of the Glen)

An independent Teaninich, selected and bottled by Lady of the Glen, a 16 year old Highland malt from 2004, drawn from cask 301139 and bottled at 53.2%. Just 271 bottles were filled. Teaninich, a large Highland distillery beside the River Averon at Alness, was founded in 1817 by a Napoleonic veteran. It stands near Dalmore and Glenmorangie in the Cromarty Firth country.

Mashed through a mash filter for an ultra clear wort and distilled in fat copper stills, giving the fresh, green spirit at its heart. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, gentle American oak beneath the green fruit. Around the mid teens the malt gains a fuller, oilier body over the grass. Long, gentle ageing turns the cut grass towards honey and soft fruit. 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 a full 53.2% it is intense yet fresh. The refill oak lending honey and vanilla runs under a clean, green fruitiness. Soft orchard fruit and grass sit behind the sweetness. It finishes clean, fresh and grassy. This is a fresh, oily Highland single malt.