The Toshan Man

One for the Gods

I will end my Toshan session with a special bottle that I was able to acquire at the whisky festival in Ghent in February 2012. This Auchentoshan is 40 years old and was distilled 5 years before I was born, in 1965. It matured for four decades on a bourbon cask. Only 200 bottles were released. I published a video review of this very special bottle a while ago.

The Nose (yes, with capital letter) is simply Marvellous (another capital letter). Creamy on vanilla and caramy. The typical citrus is absent, replaced by green banana and pineapple clubes. Wonderful beeswax. Soft as silk. Marzipan. Absolutely devoid of any tannin from the oak. Simply luscious.

On the palate it is soft and warming. I literally cloys to the roof of the mouth. Breathtaking! Hints of dark fruit and even a trace of smoke. Pepper and cinnamon – the cask has done its work. Words just are not enough.

The finish is not very long (pity), mild on spices with some mint and even some pepper. But it remains perfectly polished and fruity.

A Grand (last capital letter, I promise) Auchentoshan. One for the Gods.