The Toshan Man

Weakling

Vom Fass (German for ‘from the cask’) is a chain of stores in more than 10 countries, including Belgium. They sell all kinds of oils and vinegars, but also distillates, liqueurs and wines. And, of course, whisky. In the shop in Ghent, my neck of the woods, I found this 13 Year Old Auchentoshan. The friendly staff informed me that they use little to no peat at this distillery. Really? I gave him the evil eye, but withheld my nasty comment. He was friendly, if not well informed. I did not come here for advise, I came here for a dram.

The nose is very closed. It takes quite a bit of handwarmth for some vanilla and cane sugar and a tiny whiff of citrus to come through. But the whole is flat and uninteresting.

The palate is not much better, unfortunately. Vanilla, citrus, sweet fruit and pepper. But no depth, no body to speak of.

The finish is fairly long, on liquorice, but that is not an advantage here.

This is an Auchentoshan to forget quickly. Being a Toshan Man, this kinda hurts to say, but honesty forces me to say this is a weakling!