Teaninich 2009 Cask #SC49 (The Firkin Whisky Co. Ltd.)

From The Firkin Whisky Co. Ltd comes this Teaninich from 2009, drawn from cask SC49 and bottled at 48.9%. Teaninich, opened in 1817 on the Teaninich estate near the Cromarty Firth at Alness, is a key malt of Johnnie Walker. In 1887 it became the first distillery north of Inverness with electricity and a telephone.

Distilled on Highland spring water through fat copper stills, building the light Highland style blenders prize. A wine cask shaped it, the fruit meeting the green, oily spirit. With no age statement, it shows a light, grassy body and a waxy lift. The unpeated spirit lets the wood and the green fruit speak without smoke. Captain Hugh Munro built the distillery to give his tenants' barley a buyer. 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 natural 48.9% it is full and oily. The Port cask adds plum and red berry, and a fresh, oily grassiness meet honeyed oak sweetness underneath. A green fruit and a gentle oak give it depth. The finish is waxy, green and lively. This is a light, grassy Highland single malt.