Teaninich 8 Years Old 2016 Cask #305250 (UD – bottler)

This Teaninich was chosen and bottled by UD - bottler, an 8 year old release from 2016, drawn from cask 305250 and bottled at 56%. Set at Alness in Easter Ross, Teaninich has distilled since 1817. It is the only Scotch malt distillery to mash through a mash filter rather than a mash tun.

It was worked through the distillery's stills from a very clear wort, for the light, grassy, oily make Teaninich is known for. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut. At a youthful age the green tea and citrus run bright. The light, oily make takes cask character well across maturation. Most casks are refill ex-Bourbon, which lets the grassy spirit show through. 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.

At 56%, undiluted, it is deep and grassy. The Oloroso brings dried fruit, fig and a nutty depth, and green tea, lemon and a soft spice sit alongside a quiet vanilla from the refill oak. The mouthfeel is waxy, the citrus carried on a grassy body. Green tea and a soft wax see out the finish. This is a Johnnie Walker workhorse from the Highlands.