The First Editions have released some decent drams recently, a good start for this new independent bottler. They also offer a Teaninich 28 y.o. from 1982. This DIAGEO distillery (founded 1817) was rarely bottled as Single Malt (e.g. in the Flora and Fauna series), it was rather used as a filler element for various blends. Older versions of this Highland Malt tend to be fruity (mostly apples) with spice and the classic notes of Bourbon wood. Recently, more casks have surfaces, esp. of the same vintage (Douglas Laing, Bladnoch, Liquid Sun and Acorn). Let’s check this editon of the low-profile Highlander out in detail:
Teaninich 28 y.o. The First Editions 1982 – 2011, Cask ES 004/01, 49,5%
Comment:
Indeed an autumnal fruit basket (green apples, peaches and peach liqueur, plums and a hint of banana) with vanilla, toffee (from a Mars bar, unfried that is ;)) and oaky aromas plus green tea, mint, macadamia, hazelnut straw and big spicy elements (white pepper). Fruit and oak also dominate the palate at first, then vanilla takes over. The spice is big but still within borders. Water helps a lot here as it softens the oakiness and creates a pleasant oiliness. The finish reverberates the mentioned aromas and adds honey, linseed oil, sweet maltiness and Werther’s Originals-toffee. I wouldn’t call this a typical austere Highland Malt but a quite typical Teaninich – and a good one, by the way.
Score: 87+