Teaninich 17 Years Old 2004 Cask #301013 (Lady of the Glen)

Single malt Teaninich, released by Lady of the Glen, a 17 year old from 2004, drawn from cask 301013 and bottled at 56.3%. A release of 259 bottles. Teaninich was first built in 1817 in Easter Ross, north of Inverness; it is one of Diageo's largest distilleries. 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. Maturation in a wine cask lent red berry and a soft spice. Past a decade the grass deepens, the wax and a soft honey building over green fruit. Fat stills give a waxy texture that carries the cask flavour. 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.

Undiluted at 56.3%, it is layered. The Port cask adds plum and red berry, and vanilla and a light cream from the barrel, with citrus, cut grass and a waxy lift. It is fresh and clean, the green spirit shining through. The close is fresh, grass over gentle oak. This is the green, waxy malt of Alness.