Review by: Raygun

Not very familiar with Teaninich, nor the Rare Malts line. I did try a Rare Malts Glendullan last year, which was one of my highlights of 2023. As much as Diageo deserves a lot of hate, their distilleries produce some great stuff and my impression is that they picked some of the best for the Rare Malts series. Reviewed from a sample. Rested about 10 minutes.

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Distillery: Teaninich 

Bottler: Diageo, Rare Malts

Region/style: Highlands single malt Scotch

ABV: 64.2% 

Age: 27 years. Distilled in 1972, bottled in 2000. 

Cask type: Unknown

Color: 0.9 amontillado. Natural color. Non-chill-filtered.

Price: Saw it for a little under $1000

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Nose: Some tropical fruit, with pineapple and lemon. A touch of candied ginger. Good dose of malt and beeswax. Slightly minty. Old wood.  

Palate: Malt, caramel, pears, and a little of the tropicality with pineapple and starfruit. Tastes like a bourbon cask. The oak comes through for sure, and it has a buttery quality. Water develops the flavors nicely. Takes a turn to Skittles. Better with water I’d say. 

Finish: Touch of waxiness, pears, caramel, shortbread. Got some heat, which is no surprise at 64%. With water, fruit comes out more: lemon, Asian pears, grapefruit, starfruit. Never loses the malt. Nice length. 

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Conclusion: Very good. Not the level of the Glendullan Rare Malts I tried. Still, not a lot to complain about here. Except the price, I suppose, which is crazy at this point. I don’t know what these go for on auction now, but still more than I’m willing to pay I’m sure. Maybe not the top of the Rare Malts, but I still see why these are sought after. 

Buy a bottle? Can’t say I’d pay a grand for it. 

Score: 86

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky. (Convalmore 36)
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category. (Bruichladdich Black Art 4.1)
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram. (Ledaig 13 Amontillado)
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff. (Tomatin 18)
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting. (Glen Scotia 15)
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better. (Aultmore 12)
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink. (Glenmorangie 10)
• 50-59: Save it for mixing. (Old Pulteney 12)
• 0-49: Blech. (Muirhead’s Silver Seal 16)