Castle's Curse is Orphan Barrel doing what the project was built for, and doing it in Scotland rather than Kentucky. The premise of the label has always been to find rare and forgotten casks and bottle them rather than lose them into blends, and few distilleries fit that brief better than Teaninich. Founded in 1817 in the Northern Highlands, overlooking the Cromarty Firth beside Teaninich Castle, it has spent more than two centuries producing malt that almost nobody drinks under its own name. Its output goes into blends, and it is regarded as an integral component of the flagship Johnnie Walker recipes. Official single malt bottlings barely exist: a Flora and Fauna release, an appearance in Diageo's 2017 Special Releases, and otherwise only occasional independent bottlings. That makes Castle's Curse a genuinely rare chance to taste the distillery's spirit on its own terms. Fourteen years in European oak gives it weight without burying the house character, which is light, fruity and notably easy drinking. The nose opens on tangerine, poached pear and sweet confectionery with dried herbs behind, and the palate is semi creamy, running red apple, orange zest and cantaloupe over vanilla, oak and baking spice, with a mint note lifting the finish. The label centres the kelpie, the shape shifting water horse of Scottish folklore associated with the coast near the distillery, drawn rearing out of the water above the castle. A limited release, and the kind of bottle that exists because someone went looking for it.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
47.4% |
| Proof |
94.8 |
| Size |
750ml |
| Country |
Scotland |
| Region |
Northern Highlands |
| Distillery |
Teaninich Distillery, founded 1817 |
| Producer |
Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Co. (Diageo) |
| Category |
Single Malt Scotch Whisky |
| Expression |
Castle's Curse |
| Age |
14 Years |
| Mashbill |
100% Malted Barley |
| Maturation |
Selected European oak casks |
| Release Year |
2023 |
| Label Artwork |
The kelpie, a shape shifting water horse of Scottish folklore |
Tasting Notes
Color: Amber.
Nose: Light and fruity. Tangerine, poached pear and sweet confectionery lead, with dried herbs, vanilla, oak and baking spice behind.
Palate: Semi creamy and oily in texture. Red apple, orange zest and cantaloupe carry into vanilla, toasted almond and a clear mint note, with green apple underneath.
Finish: Medium, with orange zest turning to lemon over lingering oak and spice.
FAQ
Q: Which distillery is this from?
A: Teaninich, founded in 1817 in the Northern Highlands beside the Cromarty Firth. It is owned by Diageo and its malt is a key component of the flagship Johnnie Walker blends.
Q: Why is a Teaninich single malt unusual?
A: Almost all of Teaninich's output goes into blends. Official single malt bottlings are extremely rare, limited to a Flora and Fauna release and Diageo's 2017 Special Releases, so standalone bottlings like this one are hard to come by.
Q: Is this a bourbon?
A: No. Orphan Barrel is best known for American whiskey, but Castle's Curse is a single malt Scotch whisky matured in European oak.
Q: What is the creature on the label?
A: A kelpie, the shape shifting water horse of Scottish folklore, associated with the coast near the distillery.
Q: Is it cask finished?
A: No. It spent all fourteen years in European oak with no secondary maturation.
Q: Where can I buy Orphan Barrel Castle's Curse online?
A: Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
