Teaninich 13 Year (SMWS 59.69 "Exotic Tantalization")

The third of six samples offered at the June 2023 outturn event of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), at the Jack Rose Saloon in Washington DC. This was a 13 year ex-bourbon/red wine cask finish Teaninich, bottled at 54.5% ABV. 

Here are the official notes: 

After 11 years in ex-bourbon wood, we transferred this into a second-fill charred red wine barrique. On the nose, we identified oaked chardonnay, truffles, orange oil, walnuts, apple juice and fig chutney – all rather pleasingly exotic. The palate gave us polished oak and mulling spices, caramelised steak and marmite and perhaps a wisp of garden bonfire smoke. Adding water brought waxed fruits to the nose along with tantalising teasers of honey, heather, gorse, Twiglets and sawdust. The palate’s syrupy mouth-feel contained flavours of apricot Danish, cinnamon roll and red wine; the spiciness, initially sweet and unassuming, gathered impetus on the finish. 

I tend to strongly like red wine finishes in my whisky, so I'm eager to explore this one. Without further ado: 

Nose: Berries, "blue fruit" (plums/prunes/blueberries/blackberries are presumably what I meant by that), citrus, black licorice (the European kind), lots of flowers, manuka honey. 

Mouthfeel: Rich, medium body. 

Palate: Diverges significantly from the nose: chocolate, coffee, dark fruit, leather, oak tannins. Much drier and less sweet than the nose was. 

Finish: Coffee, oak, pepper - a very short, dry finish. 

Verdict: This was a very popular bottle around the room. The flavors were strong, intense, and attractive - despite the apparent disconnect between nose and palate. The spirit quality was obviously high, and the red wine barrique added well to the whole equation. Recommended.