Flora and Fauna Teaninich 10 Year Old

Flora & Fauna has a good story behind it. Back in 1991, United Distillers — the company that would eventually become Diageo — wanted to do something with the single malts sitting in its lesser-known distilleries, spirits that would otherwise have gone straight into a blend and been forgotten about. The name came from whisky writer Michael Jackson, who noticed the beautiful illustrations of plants and animals on each label. Diageo never made it official, but it didn't need to. Today only 11 of these bottles are still being made, which is precisely why collectors love them.

Founded in 1817 by Captain Hugh Munro on his estate at Teaninich Castle on the Cromarty Firth, Teaninich is one of Scotland's oldest and largest distilleries, yet remains relatively little known outside whisky circles. Located in the Highland village of Alness, midway between Dalmore and Glenmorangie, it passed through several hands before being acquired by Distillers Company Ltd. in 1933, and has been part of the Diageo stable ever since. With the bulk of its considerable output destined for Johnnie Walker Red Label, the 10 Year Old Flora & Fauna added in 1992 is the only official distillery bottling — and the youngest expression in the collection. True to its understated character, it is a light, fresh and approachable Highland dram with green and floral aromas, notes of citrus, strawberry and rhubarb, and a pleasantly bitter finish.