Teaninich 18 Years Old 2007 Cask #302372 (BB&R)

An independent Teaninich, bottled by Berry Bros & Rudd matured to 18 year old from 2007, drawn from cask 302372 and bottled at 57.2%. Just 303 bottles were filled. Teaninich, established in 1817 near the Cromarty Firth at Alness, is a key malt of Johnnie Walker. Fat copper stills add an oily texture to the clean, grassy spirit.

Distilled on Highland spring water through fat copper stills, building the light Highland style blenders prize. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, lending honey and vanilla. Mid age brings a deeper honey and a riper green fruit. The unpeated spirit lets the wood and the green fruit speak without smoke. Filled spirit is tankered away to mature in Diageo's central warehouses. The name comes from the Gaelic for house on the hill, a nod to the old estate. 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.

At cask strength 57.2% it is muscular yet green. A fresh, oily grassiness meet honeyed oak sweetness underneath. Beneath it run cut grass, citrus and a soft wax. Cut grass and citrus draw out the close. This is a light, grassy Highland single malt.