Teaninich 17 Years Old 2007 Cask #5 (Signatory)

This Teaninich was from the independent bottler Signatory Vintage matured to 17 year old from 2007, drawn from cask 5 and bottled at 55.5%. Only 351 bottles were released. 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. Maturation in a sherry cask laid dried fruit over the grassy malt. Mid age brings a deeper honey and a riper green fruit. The unpeated spirit lets the wood and the green fruit speak without smoke. The Munro family ran the distillery through two generations before selling. The Cromarty Firth nearby is one of few UK waters home to bottlenose dolphins. A long fermentation of around 75 hours builds the fresh, fruity notes.

Undiluted at 55.5%, it is layered. The Pedro Ximenez lends raisin, date and treacle, and grass, pear and a gentle wax meet a quiet vanilla from the refill oak. It is fresh and oily, the fruit and oak well matched. A clean, gently waxy finish lingers. This is Teaninich's clean, grassy Highland style.