Teaninich 2008 (Gordon & Macphail)

Nose: The bouquet is fresh and herbaceous, with hints of lemon citrus, vanilla, newly cut grass, brown sugar, and a touch of oak. A very subtle maritime note is present, and curiously, the residual aroma in the glass is of distant fragrant smoke. Palate: A sweet and light entry featuring apple and citrus. As it develops, a drying sensation emerges along with some spicy warmth. There's a hint of licorice, barley sugar, and some oak. The drying sensation intensifies and provides a dryness reminiscent of a dry sherry. Finish: Medium to short, with a peppery spice that turns slightly sweet at the end. Overall, I would describe this as a young and firm malt. It possesses a certain dry astringency on the nose and palate that is almost invigorating. It significantly improves with the addition of a small amount of water, which softens the brightness of the nose and allows more subtle notes to come through. On the palate, adding water creates a much creamier texture, which is very pleasant. Similar to all Teaninich expressions, it evokes Johnnie Walker blends, particularly Red Label, as this is one of their foundational malts. I recently sampled this alongside Compass Box Asyla, and comparing the two is interesting. Asyla is a light and delicate whisky that utilizes Teaninich as a key component to impart the specific aromas and flavors I've described. When compared, this malt appears both brighter and more direct but lacks depth. Not long ago, I reviewed Teaninich 10 year Flora & Fauna; this is a slightly more potent and engaging version of the same distillate, but I cannot recommend it, and it doesn't offer good value. "Above Average": 80/100 (3 stars)