Whisky : Teaninich 10 Year SMWS 59.59 “Spock’s earwax”

Country/Region : Scotland/Highland

ABV : 55.2%

Cask : New Oak Heavy Char #4

Age : 10 Years (Distilled 29 Sept. 2008)

Nose : Waxy and fruity, full of dried mangos, grapefruit, tangerine, cantaloup, and melon.  As malty notes come through it takes on the impression of Fruit Loops cereal.  Further in sits minty double mint gum, new cotton socks, and caramel cream-cheese brownies.

Palate : Medium to heavy body with an intriguing chalky and waxy mouthfeel.  Dried tangerines, oranges, and apple slices all come forward right away.  Licorice, bubble gum, and dark brown sugar join dried fruits on the mid palate.  Oak tannins build on the backend with a lingering dryness and subtle spice.  

Finish : Medium length dried tangerines and white sugar.

Score : 6

Mental Image : Fruity Breakfast Cereal’s Cartoon Mascot

Something Better : Longrow 15Y Ex-Chardonnay (similar tangerine/spice, more grilled fruit/smoke)

Something Similar : Longmorn 16Y (similar tangerine, waxy mouthfeel, less depth)

Something Worse : Glen Elgin 10T SMWS 85.49 (similar citrus/melon, more astringent)

Notes :  This was originally available in the US as part of a new membership special package deal.  While the name sounds quite logical, Teaninich is a pretty unknown distillery.  I definitely wondered the breakdown between people who grabbed the bottle because of the name verses those who just wanted to jump headfirst into some of the lesser known and unusual distilleries that SMWS bottles.  

This was a really interesting whisky that combined a fruity mild spirit with some heavy oak tannins and char.  I enjoyed the different fruity elements that came through so prominently on the nose and reprised themselves, though less prevalently, on the palate.  While the nose was quite malty and rich, the overall flavor profile was quite mellow, though the spirit did have a nice waxy quality.  This was an interesting bottle and the only Teaninich I have had.  It was not a huge hit on our virtual tasting, it was really overshadowed by whiskies with stronger and richer flavor profiles, but it did make for a pleasant warm up.  While I would not grab a bottle of this myself— there have been loads of young Glenburgie that do similar things and do them better in my opinion— I would happy sip on this if offered.