Teaninich 40 Years Old 1973 Handwritten Label (Thosop Import)

A Teaninich single malt, released by Thosop Import matured to 40 year old from 1973 and bottled at 40.8%. The outturn was 108 bottles. Teaninich was founded in 1817 by Captain Hugh Munro in Easter Ross, north of Inverness; it is a key malt of Johnnie Walker. Teaninich is Diageo's third largest distillery, and almost all its make goes to blends.

The spirit was made from a mash filter wort for a clean, grassy spirit, for a clean, oily make of real freshness. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, gentle American oak beneath the green fruit. Very old Teaninich turns profound, waxy and tropical yet still fresh. Years in oak round the spirit, the grass and wax deepening with age. The River Averon runs beside the distillery on its way to the firth. A long fermentation builds the fresh, green fruit the blenders prize. A 2013 expansion added a new six still house, more than doubling capacity.

Bottled at a cask strength 40.8%, it is rich. Vanilla and a light cream from the barrel, with citrus, cut grass and a waxy lift. Soft orchard fruit and grass sit behind the sweetness. A grassy, gently spiced finish lingers. This is the green, waxy malt of Alness.