Teaninich 1973 (Berry’s Own)

50.6% abv

Score:  91.5/100

 

Teaninich is another of the distilleries in Diageo’s stable, which has not really had the opportunity to shine in its own right.  This is simply due to how very few casks find their way to the consumer in the form of single malts.

With an annual production capacity of about 4,000,000 liters, it is slightly heartbreaking to learn that nearly all of the distillery’s malt ends up as blend fodder for the Johnnie Walker line.  Now…I’m as big a fan as any of JW (excepting the ghastly Red Label), but I would take a bottle of Teaninich anyday over nearly any Johnnie Walker I’ve tried.

This 1973 is a great example of what this distillery’s potential really is.  Big thanks to Berry Brothers for releasing this expression for our sipping pleasure.

Nose:  Latex paint.  Peach cobbler.  Strawberries and cream.  Sweet sugar cookies and marzipan.  Saltines (Premium Plus crackers).  Like a fresh outdoor walk through the woods.

Palate:  Big punchy peach delivery.  Juicy as hell.  Vanilla and orange.  Macaroons (chocolate and coconut).

Hopefully the folks at Diageo will find it in their generous and altruistic hearts (bahahahaha!) to let us have some future opportunities at this brand.  Nice whisky, this.

(*Thanks to Andrew Ferguson at Kensington Wine Market for this sample.)

 

– Reviewed by:  Curt

– Photo:  Curt