The Toshan Man

Citric Acid

In the not too distant past, I had a rather unpleasant encounter with an Auchentoshan 1984. Remember the Master of Malt debacle? Pure FWP. So I was not very keen on opening my bottle with number 2 of 209 (the bottles insisted on holding on to number one) of the Whiskybroker release. But then friends from Holland sent me a parcel with quite a big sample, allowing me to give this one a try without having to open my own bottle. Whiskybroker, by the way, is well known for bottlings single casks at very attractive prices (this 27 years old Toshan was only 75 EUR).

It is quite Toshany from the very start, meaning that citrus and vanilla kick in, followed by sweet malt, sugared pineapple and hints of green banana. White chocolate? It does show a floral side, with some jasmin and dandelion, but it is a far cry from the perfumed FWP. Thank the Maker! After a while, I get some caramel and mandarin. This is a very classic, but wonderful, Auchentoshan nose. Feel free to add some water. It can take it and makes it more fruity.

Nice body with loads of spices. Ginger, white pepper, the classics. The floral side is much more promenint on the palate, though. But all within the borders of the acceptable. Violets and rosewater. Some mild honey and then the citrus kicks in with a vengeance. Adding water brings it to the brink of perfume, so add with care.

The finish is nice and long on citric acid.

Well, I like this one much better than the perfumy bottling from MoM, although it flirts with disaster. It is clearly the best undiluted.