Lowland distillery Auchentoshan's flagship single malt whisky, famously triple-distilled which is unusual for a Scotch. This contributes to its signature smooth character, however. It's been matured in both American oak and sherry casks.
A cereal-sweet nose with notes of guava and mango, with a drizzle of honey.
Oaky and sweet palate, with barley sugar, a little passion fruit and vanilla custard too. Perhaps some rose petal jelly in there.
A lengthy, dry and oaky finish with barley sweetness and cocoa powder.
A light beginners drink, overly light and bodyless with an unpleasant finish. I have no idea what some of the other reviewers have been tasting!
Best
At first the honey was so overwhelming to me that I wasn't sure if i could get past it. But after spending some time with this whisky I've come to really enjoy it. The nose is honey, vanilla, brown sugar and oak. It's sweet as hell. The palate is surprisingly smokey, strong hint of oak, and honey in the nostrils as you exhale. It's sweet, bitter and salty. As an ex smoker and coffee drinker the finish is tar, smoke and oak and I love it. It's fairly reminiscent of a cigar in the mouth. It's a little bitter but after a glass of dull Macallan amber my god I'll take it. At rougly 60 to 70 dollars Canadian for a 750 ml, it's priced reasonably well for such a good tasting scotch.
Not the smoothest of 12yr old scotches but it is relatively complex and interesting. Just enough there to make you want to try it again. It is a touch on the bitter side, but for some that is just fine.
There are a number of things going on here: A little fruity yet it has some dry woodiness. A touch of smokiness with a touch of sweetness. A little bitterness yet some sourness. Only issue is that is has a bit of an artificial note in the background (added colour?). All in all a good dram.
