Review: Orphan Barrel Castle’s Curse 14 Year Old
The latest release in Diageo’s Orphan Barrel project, Orphan Barrel Castle’s Curse, is a limited edition 14 year old Single Malt Scotch Whisky from the Teaninich Distillery that’s been matured in European oak and bottled at 47.4% ABV.
Teaninich Distillery is located in the Highland region of Scotland and is currently under the ownership of Diageo, the parent company of Johnnie Walker and owner of over two dozen Scotch whisky distilleries, including Lagavulin, Oban, and Talisker. Teaninich is one the lesser known distilleries in Diageo’s portfolio, and that can be attributed to most of its output being used in blends. Outside of one-off limited releases in Diageo’s Flora & Fauna series and Diageo’s 2017 Special Releases, official Teaninich bottlings simply don’t exist. The only way to get your hands on the distillery’s single malt is to seek out occasional releases from independent bottlers.
I’ve never had a chance to taste the Teaninich Flora & Fauna or Diageo 2017 Special Releases, but I’ve sampled my share of independent bottlings over the years and have found the distillery’s spirit to be light, fruity, and easy drinking. Will Castle’s Curse be consistent with those experiences? Let’s find out!
Orphan Barrel Castle’s Curse 14 Year Old Specifications:
- Spirit: Scotch.
- Classification: Single Malt.
- Region: Highland.
- Age: 14 Years Old.
- ABV: 47.4% (94.8 Proof).
- Cask Type: Matured in European oak casks.
- Price Paid: N/A (Sample from Diageo).
- Average Price: $175.00 for 750 mL.
Elias’ Notes:
- Color: Amber.
- Nose: Light and fruity. Opens with aromas of apples, pears, and orange zest, followed by vanilla, oak, and baking spices.
- Palate: Semi-creamy mouthfeel, with notes of red apples, orange zest, cantaloupe, vanilla, oak, and baking spices.
- Finish: Short to medium length. The red apple, cantaloupe, and vanilla notes fade first. The orange zest on the palate turns to lemon zest on the finish, and lingers slightly longer alongside the oak and baking spices.
Orphan Barrel Castle’s Curse is an easy drinking, inoffensive whisky with a profile that’s in line with my experiences with Teaninich’s spirit. If you have access to independent bottlers, you may be able to find an independent bottling of Teaninich with a similar age and profile at a more affordable price point. However, if you don’t have access to independent bottlers and have been wanting to try a Teaninich single malt, you can’t go wrong with Orphan Barrel Castle’s Curse.
Rating: B- (80-82%).