Nc'nean Huntress Malted Teacake Organic Single Malt Scotch Whisky
97 proof (48.5% ABV) | 700mL | No age statement | 2026 Huntress release, 4,391 bottles | Certified organic — Nc'nean Huntress Malted Teacake is the fifth annual release in the distillery's experimental Huntress series: an organic Highland single malt Scotch whisky whose flavor comes from fermentation, not just casks. The spirit was fermented with two Nc'nean house yeast strains plus a third yeast normally used in Belgian Trappist-style ales — trials going back to 2017 — then matured in 50% STR ex-red wine casks, 48% ex-bourbon casks, and 2% ex-Oloroso sherry casks.
Named for Neachneohain, the Gaelic goddess ("The Huntress") the distillery is named after, each Huntress release explores what yeast and distillation can do. The result here: soft malted biscuit and toasted marshmallow sweetness, hints of cocoa, dried fruit, and gentle spice, lifted by Nc'nean's signature light, elegant coastal freshness. Reviewers found red apple, ripe peach, butterscotch, marzipan, lemon zest, buttery pastry, milk chocolate, and fresh fig, with a grassy-floral, baking-spice finish. Non-chill filtered, natural colour, bottled in 100% recycled glass from the UK's first net-zero distillery (Scopes 1 & 2) — and available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
Tasting notes
Per The Whisky Exchange and independent review (whiskyforeveryone): nose of red apple, ripe peach, malted biscuit, butterscotch, marzipan, and lemon zest with a yeasty background; palate of peach, apricot, toffee apple, Werther's-style toffee, malty biscuits, milk chocolate, honey, and fresh fig over a buttery, almost oily texture; finish of hay, honeysuckle, baking spice, and drying oak tannins.
Why buy it from Del Mesa Liquor
- Yeast-driven experiment — Trappist ale yeast strain in a Scotch fermentation, a genuine rarity
- 4,391 bottles — annual Huntress releases sell through; 2026 bottling
- 97 proof, non-chill filtered — full texture and flavor
- Certified organic, B-Corp, net-zero distillery on Scotland's Drimnin Estate
- Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor
How to serve it
Neat in a tulip glass with a few drops of still water — the malted-biscuit and stone-fruit character opens beautifully. A contemplative pour, not a mixer.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nc'nean Huntress Malted Teacake peated?
No — Nc'nean makes unpeated spirit. The "Malted Teacake" character comes from the experimental yeast fermentation and the STR red wine / bourbon / Oloroso cask maturation, not smoke.
What makes the Huntress series different from Nc'nean's regular Organic Single Malt?
Huntress is an annual experimental series focused on fermentation and distillation trials (like this Trappist-yeast release), bottled in tiny numbered runs — 4,391 bottles for 2026 — versus the ongoing core organic expression.
What does STR mean on the cask description?
Shaved, Toasted, and Re-charred — ex-red wine casks rejuvenated to give fresh oak and fruit character to the maturing spirit.