Teaninich

Bottled from a refill Oloroso sherry hogshead laid down at the Teaninich distillery in 2014, this 10 year old shows the distillery's sweet and viscous profile. The nose opens with a step in to an old-fashioned sweet shop - berry-flavoured hard boiled candies join candied grapefruit and red licorice, joining a sweet and grapey flavour like old dessert wines. The palate is rich and weighted with a satisfying length.

Matured for 15 years in total, this new Teaninich from Cadenhead spent its final 3 years in a Sauternes barrique, enhancing the sweet and fruity character of the distillery. The aroma is that of desserts being made in a kitchen - melting butter, peaches in syrup and fruit trifle come to mind. To taste, sultanas and honeyed tones are contrasted against a savoury note of oregano and sun dried tomatoes, leaving behind a nutty finish.

Distilled in 2007 at Teaninich, this 10 year old single cask is an example of minimal wood influence during its maturation, allowing the spirit character to shine. A very clean dram, with a syrupy, sweetness. Pears, apple, lychee and other white fruits join bon-bons and fruit pastels palate, ending on waxy, dry citrus notes.

Filled from a refill ex-sherry butt, the pale straw colour of this Teaninich shows the wood influence has been very gentle over 13 years. As is typical for this style, the barley really sings - nutty, malty, with hints of buttery pastry and warm, yeasty bread dough. A nutty, very oily quality is present throughout, with cooked apple then a twist of all sorts of woody herbs. An excellent example of the cask giving way to let the distillate truly shine.