Whisky: Teaninich 13 Year SMWS 59.65 “Red oak”

Country/Region: Scotland/Highland

ABV: 55.7%

Cask: Ex-Bourbon (10Y), First Fill Red Wine Barrique (3Y)

Age: 13 Years (Distilled 26 Feb. 2008)

Nose: Candy, cream, and salt. Saltwater taffy to chew on while hiking over sand dunes and through waving strands of beach grass. As if a salty-mineral shoreline breeze blew in while searching for a place to enjoy creamy malty top notes of cheesecake or clotted cream and scones. Stewed stone fruits brought to mind a sticky pot of something stashed away for a seaside picnic.

Palate: Medium-bodied with fruit, tobacco, and chocolate. Stewed fruits rolled across the palate with a chocolatey undercurrent studded with hints of salted macadamia nuts. Green leaf tobacco with traces of a sulfur funk— somewhere between freshly shelled macadamia nuts and struck matches. One taster remarked it was the flavor of roadwork as fresh asphalt teased behind blackberries and a chocolatey fruit punch.

Finish:  Lingering notes of hot asphalt in the sun and plum preserves.

Score: 6

Mental Image: Candyland Road Repavement Project

Notes: Red wine cask maturations and finishes are not usually to my taste, but this was a great example of when they work out well. This proved far more popular at a recent tasting event than I expected as people seemed really into the balance of sweet fruit and subtle layers of salt, struck matches, and roadwork. I realize that does not sound like a winning combination, but a strand of chocolate notes tied together nicely and gave the dram a coherent structure.

It likely helped that Teaninich produces a thick and waxy malt that balances well against aggressive cask maturations. It is hefty and unlikely to get lost under the influence of wood or wine. It is not always the most characterful malt— beyond its excellent mouthfeel— though I would peg it a bit higher than Auchroisk as I often get a lovely caramelized boba tea note on Teaninich.

Overall, a fine example of a red wine maturation gone right. Still not my jam, but if I were picking out a red wine maturation to share with friends, this would be high on the list.