Teaninich 16 Years Old 2008 Cask #TH825 (Spirits Beast)

A Teaninich single malt, drawn and bottled by Spirits Beast, a 16 year old from 2008, drawn from cask TH825 and bottled at 50.9%. Just 288 bottles were filled. Teaninich was founded in 1817 by Captain Hugh Munro in Easter Ross, north of Inverness; it is a key malt of Johnnie Walker. Its make is a key part of Johnnie Walker, Haig and VAT 69.

The spirit was made from a mash filter wort for a clean, grassy spirit, for a clean, oily make of real freshness. 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. A patient maturation suits the light, grassy Teaninich character. 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.

Undiluted at 50.9%, it is layered. Vanilla and a light cream from the barrel, with cut grass, green tea and a soft citrus. Beneath it run cut grass, citrus and a soft wax. It finishes clean, fresh and grassy. This is a rare single malt from a blending giant.