Teaninich 2015 IN2S (IN2Spirit (IN2S))

This Teaninich was an independent IN2Spirit (IN2S) bottling, a 10 year old release from 2015, drawn from cask 6746333 and bottled at 53.9%. 64 bottles in all. Set at Alness in Easter Ross, Teaninich has distilled since 1817. Single malt is rare; the Flora and Fauna 10 year old is the only regular official bottling.

It was worked through the distillery's stills from a very clear wort, for the light, grassy, oily make Teaninich is known for. A wine cask shaped it, the fruit meeting the green, oily spirit. At this age the spirit is fresh and green, cut grass and citrus to the fore. A clean wort and a long ferment build the fragrant, green tea note. 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. Filled spirit is tankered away to mature in Diageo's central warehouses.

At its natural 53.9% it is concentrated. The Port cask adds plum and red berry, and a grassy, waxy freshness sit alongside a quiet vanilla from the refill oak. It is fresh and oily, the fruit and oak well matched. Green tea and a soft wax see out the finish. This is the green tea malt of Easter Ross.