Auchentoshan 1998 Bottling Note
A 12 year old from Auchentoshan, this was aged in European oak Fino sherry barrels before bottling 2010. The results are creamy and very fruity, and at cask strength there's a lot going on.
Fantastic nose, but palate...
A very tempting, fruity, calvados like nose. Then palate... hmm? I can't get anything. The palate is simply thick and unpenetrable. I have tried to add any amount of water, but still almost nothing. Yes, there is some muscavado and green apple, but almost zero complexity even in the finish. It's a shame, because there is a great potential in this Fino sherried malt.
Butterscotch & Sherry
The nose is clean and firm with quite a bit of orange peel and butterscotch, but also nuts (almonds), honey and a hint of bitterness.
On the palate, he's quite creamy and thoroughly spiced. The butterscotch immediately gets overpowered by the sherry tones, but soon the typical citrusy character of Auchentoshan returns. There is even a hint of pineapple. Adding a little water makes it even more creamy.
The finish is medium long on citrus and green apples.
Mark Dermul - A Toshan Man!