The Toshan Man

Top-class!

I tasted this Toshan before, at the Belgian Whisky Festival in Ghent, Belgium. My friend and Auchentoshan Brand Ambassador, Chris Leggat, gave me a sample to try again at a later date (which is now and allows me to keep my full bottle closed for a little while longer). This Toshan has a beautiful color, although somewhat pale, so must be a refill cask. Beads wonderfully too. It matured a full 32 years in an oloroso sherry cask and only 240 bottles were filled at a cask strength of 49% (my bottle is number 30).

The nose is delicate, wonderfully sweet with vanilla, beeswax, mint, white fruit (apple and quince) and a touch of white chocolate. Remember that it has been locked up for 32 long years, so give it at least 15 minutes in the glass, you'll be amazed by its complexity! I also get furniture polish, leather, malt and caramel.

He's pretty syrupy on the palate with touches of oak, nutmeg, white pepper and a whole range of stewed fruits (apples and pears primarily) and dried fruits (raisins, prunes, apricots). Also whiffs of orange zest, coffee and milk chocolate. Wonderful!

The finish, medium in length, remains sweet for a long time (dried fruits) and dies on nuts.

This is a top-class Auchentoshan!