Teaninich 2016/2023 - Sansibar
Nose
From the very first sniff, you realise that this is not a typical Highland whisky. Instead of heavy sherry or smoky notes, you get a surprisingly fresh and light fruity nose. Vanilla and citrus are in the foreground, accompanied by a fine herbal note reminiscent of herbal tea. The alcohol is noticeable, but not disturbing - you realise that the whisky has strength. All in all, a very exciting, lively flavour!
Taste
The first sip brings with it an oily, almost syrupy texture. In terms of flavour, it starts with a clear vanilla note before fresh lemon and apricot come into play. Then it becomes more exotic: a hint of rose water provides a slightly floral note. The wood is also noticeable, but without overwhelming the whisky. The honey sweetness provides balance, but the strength of the high alcohol content is always present. A small drop of water can help to develop the flavours even better.
Finish
The finish is medium to long, but not quite as harmonious as hoped. The fresh wood remains in the foreground, accompanied by a slight bitterness that makes the whisky appear somewhat unrounded.
Thoughts
The Teaninich 2016/2023 from Zanzibar is definitely not a mainstream whisky. It shows bright fruit flavours, sweet vanilla and herbs, but also brings strong wood and bitter influences with it. The 60.2 % ABV makes it intense - not for beginners looking for a smooth dram. However, those who enjoy tasting young, powerful whiskies with an independent character will find what they are looking for here. A few drops of water bring even more balance.
Rating: 72/100 - Very Good (Marcel: 72 | Sascha: 72)
Value for Money: 3/5 - Ok
FAQ: The Most Common Questions
❓ Why is Teaninich so rare as an original bottling and what makes the distillery special?
👉 Teaninich is a Highland distillery that mainly produces for blends - the majority goes to Johnnie Walker and other Diageo brands. Official single malt bottlings are therefore extremely rare, which makes independent bottlers such as Sansibar all the more important. The distillery is known for its "waxy" character thanks to special copper condensers that produce unique esters. This technique produces the atypical light fruit flavours rather than the expected heavy Highland character. Teaninich whiskies are an insider tip among connoisseurs for their independent, almost experimental flavour palette.
❓ Why does this young Teaninich have 60.2% ABV and how should you drink it?
👉 Sansibar always bottles at cask strength in order to preserve the authentic flavours. The high alcohol content is even more noticeable in a whisky that has only been matured for 7 years than in older bottlings. The 60.2% reinforces both the positive flavours (vanilla, citrus, rose water) and the harder wood and bitter notes. Recommendation: Start with very small sips neat to understand the character. Then add distilled water drop by drop - this opens up the flavours and considerably softens the bitterness in the finish.
❓ Who is this powerful, young Teaninich suitable for?
👉 This Teaninich is definitely not for beginners or lovers of smooth whiskies. It is aimed at experienced whisky drinkers who appreciate experimental, independent bottlings. The combination of light fruity notes, floral elements and powerful wood spice is unusual and polarising.