Teaninich, 2016 8 Year Old Single Grain Special Release 2025

The most interesting release of the 2025 Diageo Special releases (at least to us whisky geeks), is a Single Grain whisky from Teaninich.

'I thought Teaninich was a malt distillery?' It is indeed, however the Highland producer is also one of only two distilleries in Scotland fitted with a mash filter, which enables it to process grains other than barley. In this 2016 experimental distillation, they used 51% malted rye and 49% malted barley, with the resulting spirit matured in ex bourbon casks for over 8 years. Since there is no Rye whisky classification in Scotland, it is officially a grain whisky.

Tasting Notes

Nose – Green, herbal and spicy nose. Mild in feel with considerable prickle. Faintly sharp top of acid-drop boiled sweets, becoming soft fudge. Green notes develop a more perfumed character in time, suggesting woody cologne. 

Palate – Light and creamy-smooth in texture. Sweet at first in taste, with creamy vanilla, light acidity and a green, herbal side.

Finish – Short and sharply spicy, with a pinch of dried coconut in the aftertaste.

60.3% ABV