Single Malt
Scotland
Bourbon
A Lowland single malt whisky from the Auchentoshan distillery, no age statement is given and one assumes it is a younger malt though certainly an enjoyable one. 'Classic' was launched in 2008 to replace the old staple 'Select'.
This bottle was part of a private collection - if you'd like more detailed photos just get in touch!
Fairly sweet, toasty Bourbon notes and creamy vanilla intertwined with lush, ripe cooked fruit. Perhaps coconut.
Fruity with typical Auchentoshan refinement. White peach and crème anglaise.
Clean, a floral freshness, a little more zest with white peach and apple.
A very pleasant lowland malt. Very nice with a drop Strathmore still water. I would imagine with a couple of cubes of ice it would make a very pleasant summer drink.
Though I've never had Auchentoshan before, I thought it might be a nice try at $31. I was wrong. It has a distinctive sour taste but with very little depth - none of the nutty or vanilla flavor it claims. No wonder the distillery fails to mention its age - I'm guessing it's something very young and would turn people off. When a standard 12 year Glenlivet can be had for less than this, there's no reason to go for the Auchentoshan Classic.
Fruity and slightly medicinal on the nose, and a variety of flavors greet the palate. Vanilla, nuts, banana, dark fruits, straw. It'll keep your attention, but a word to the wise: there is no need to add water. It's only 40% ABV, and water dulls all the flavors, so skip the water and enjoy this one neat.
When I first nosed this straight after opening the bottle the first thing I picked up on was a dumpling/suet pudding character which interestingly I also get from Bowmore. There is also a good chunk of vanilla so although it is fairly young (6 years old I believe) the casks must be mostly or entirely first fill. After a few minutes the dumpling character remains but fades towards the background and a nice soft fruitiness comes forward. Okay it’s not the most incredible whisky experience you will ever have but it’s perfectly pleasant and excellent value.
I cannot expect more for the price as it's not really bad but boring, and it's sweet, with some dry after-taste... though there really is a hint of old socks that annoys me terribly. I was at first informed this was exemplary for Lowlands malt, and I hope it's not.
