Tasting three excellent new Teaninich 1973

May 19, 2013

Tasting three excellent new Teaninich 1973

There's been quite a few old Teaninichs around in recent months and I've always found them interesting. I also like the fact that the strength is so low, no need to fiddle around with water, spoons or pipettes, but won't the whiskies be weak? Le's see...

Teaninich 39 yo 1973/2013 (40.1%, The Whisky Cask, bourbon, cask #6068)

Colour: gold. Nose: lovely! Yellow flowers, nectar and pollen, fresh sultanas, ripe apples, greengages, Sauternes, orange blossom and vanilla crème. Impressive freshness, it's all playful and superbly fruity. Let's only hope the palate will stay the course. I cannot not think of some similarly aged Benriach. Mouth: sure the oak shows up, and it's even quite green and tea-ish, but the fruits are big enough to make the whole enjoyable and still fresh and lively. Also funny notes of camphor and eucalyptus, rosehip tea... It's actually got something of some old Irish pot still. A little incense and cedar wood as well. Finish: shortish but clean, while the oak hasn't got any louder. Some lemon balm in the aftertaste. Comments: only the slightly oaky arrival on the palate makes it lose two or three points in my book, otherwise it would have been a sure 90. SGP:551 - 88 points.

Teaninich 40 yo 1973/2013 (40.4%, The Nectar of the Daily Drams)

Colour: gold. Nose: we're very close, finding differences is tough. Maybe a notch less sultanas or other round aromas and rather more grassy tones. Otherwise just as fresh and pleasantly vibrant. The very low natural strength has no impact so far. Mouth: same whisky as above now, I cannot find any differences and believe me, I'm trying hard. Finish: maybe this one is a notch grassier? A little more green tannins? Maybe not. Comments: same as above, a pretty miraculous old whisky. SGP:551 - 88 points.

Teaninich 40 yo 1973/2013 (42%, The Whisky Agency, refill sherry hogshead, 213 bottles)

Teaninich 40 yo 1973/2013 (42%, The Whisky Agency, refill sherry hogshead, 213 bottles) Colour: gold. Nose: we're obviously very close again. Sultanas, plums, sweet white wine, maybe honeysuckle... Lovely, lovely... Mouth: same as above. Maybe added touches of coconuts but I may well be dreaming - or need holidays. Finish: same. Maybe a little more white pepper. Comments: scratching my head. Anyway, this consistency after 40 years is quite spectacular and its not the first time this happens. That was a quick session! ;-) SGP:551 - 88 points.

Check the index of all Teaninich I've tasted so far