Teaninich 10 year old Fauna & Flora

Profile: The Teaninich 10 year old Flora & Fauna at a glance

• Teaninich 10 year old - The Highlander in camouflage suit
• Part of the "Flora & Fauna" series - whiskies away from the limelight
• From the northern Highlands, in service since 1817
• Rarely used as a single malt - mostly used for blends and the whisky liqueur Drambuie
• Classic understated whisky with its own character
• For the curious who like to try something outside the mainstream

Portrait: What makes the Teaninich 10 year old Flora & What makes fauna

Whisky lovers may have already heard of the "Flora & Fauna" series - the secret superhero squad of the Scotch universe. Instead of capes, these bottles wear chic labels with animal and plant motifs and showcase whiskies that otherwise lead a shadowy existence in the blending industry. No show, no fan scarves - just honest distillates straight from the stills of some rather under-the-radar distilleries.

In the heart of the Northern Highlands, where sheep count more than people, Teaninich was founded in 1817 - before Queen Victoria even knew what whisky was. Since 1905, the distillery has belonged to DCL (the great-grandfather of Diageo), and sometime in the 1970s, they thought, "Let's redo everything!" The subsidiary, R.H. Thomson, undertook a thorough renovation and from then on dutifully fed its blends with Teaninich malt – because: good, affordable, secret.

But as life would have it: From 1985 to 1990, the distillery took a creative break – presumably to hike through the Highlands or search for a particularly intense yeast strain. Today, distilling is taking place there again – but only at half capacity. Perhaps out of principle. Perhaps because they love peace and quiet.

Oh yes, part of the malt ends up in Drambuie, the famous whisky liqueur. Whether Teaninich feels flattered by this or prefers to be served solo, only the stills themselves know.

Conclusion: Anyone pouring themselves Teaninich 10 year old from the Flora & Fauna range won't get a mainstream diva - but a Highlander with history, attitude, and very British understatement. Slàinte!

Tasting Notes: This is how the Teaninich 10 year old Flora & Fauna tastes like

• Nose: Ripe fruits and fresh hay predominate. There are also distinct aromas of chamomile. Anise and cardamom appear in the background, rounded off by a hint of soft tree resin.
• Palate: The whisky is soft and dry. Cereal notes and barley sugar are clearly recognizable, accompanied by robust herbal notes. A hint of lemon brings freshness, while a light espresso note provides depth.
• Finish: Medium-long and dry. The hay notes from the aroma reappear.