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Friday, March 4, 2022

Teaninich 11 year old 2006 Cadenhead (US release)

SPOILER ALERT: The Teaninich Week whiskies turned out to be much better than I'd expected. In fact, they inspired me to source some more Teaninich samples for future Teaninich Weeks. Team Teaninich!

Several years ago, Cadenhead released seven Teaninich 2006s — four single casks and three double casks, all hoggies, all 10-11 years old — one after the other. Two of them made it to The States. Today's Teaninininich, a 57.2%abv single hogshead, was consumed side-by-side with Wednesday's 2007 from BB&R.

Distillery: Teaninich
Owner: Diageo
Region: Northern-ish Highlands
Independent Bottler: Cadenhead
Age: 11 years old (2006 - 2017)
Maturation: bourbon hogshead
Cask number: ???
Outturn: 276 bottles
Alcohol by Volume: 57.2%
(from a bottle split)

NOTES

Judging by the nose, this is certainly related to the 2007, but there's more salt and industrial grunge to it. Hints of chalk and mango. More oranges than lemons. The fruit gets funkier with time, like it's over-ripening in my glass. Once the whisky is reduced to 46%abv, the nose focuses on ocean, oranges and Demerara.

Barley and raw nuts mix with guava and lime juices in the palate with hints of both phenols and young cognac in the background. Diluting it to 46%abv awakens some sort of whisky beast, making it bitterer, earthier, sweeter and tarter. Louder.

The long, warm finish has a mix of sweet citrus, fresh herbs and young cognac. At 46%abv, it picks up more limes and herbs.

WORDS WORDS WORDS

I thoroughly enjoyed this whisky, with its old school character and swimming skills putting it ahead of the BB&R 2007. And once again I'm thankful the indie bottler released it as is, with no extra oak fluffing. Once (or if) the international whisky market welcomes reasonable people back into the bottle-buying game, this is exactly what I would look for: 10-15 year old single malts, minimal cask influence, lots of character. Now onto other Diageo distilleries...

Availability - U.S.A.
Pricing - $80-$90, I think
Rating - 88