Teaninich 9 Years Old 2012 Càrn Mòr Strictly Limited (Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers)

A Teaninich single malt, bottled by Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers, a 9 year old from 2012 and bottled at 47.5%. The outturn was 1281 bottles. Teaninich was first built in 1817 in the northern Highlands at Alness, and it has long been prized by blenders. It was founded by Blind Captain Hugh Munro, a Napoleonic veteran, on his Teaninich estate.

The spirit was run from a clear wort through the distillery's tall stills, to build a clean, waxy, grassy character. A sherry cask wrapped the light spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth. Younger here, it keeps a clean, grassy freshness over a waxy texture. The unpeated spirit lets the wood and the green fruit speak without smoke. A long fermentation builds the fresh, green fruit the blenders prize. A 2013 expansion added a new six still house, more than doubling capacity. Most casks are refill ex-Bourbon, which lets the grassy spirit show through.

At a hearty 47.5% it carries real weight. The Oloroso brings dried fruit, fig and a nutty depth, and a fresh, oily grassiness meet soft vanilla and honey from the cask. The texture is light and oily, the grass threaded with honey. A clean, gently waxy finish lingers. This is a light, grassy Highland single malt.