The Toshan Man

Another dumpy bottle from Signatory, but even older than the one I tried before. This was distilled in 1978 and has been sitting in the bottle since 1996 – that’s 20 years, meaning it has spent more time in the bottle than in the cask at this point. Obviously this is nowhere to be found nowadays, so I am very happy with the sample that I was able to get from my whisky buddy Tom.

The nose is mostly candied. Think Turkish Delight, dark caramel, candied orange peel and butterscotch. Werther's Original. Moccha. Espresso. Top notch marzipan. Praliné. Walnuts. Wonderfully swedt. This was undoubtedly a sherry cask (the label simply says ‘oak cask’). Then it even turns a bit umami. Gravy and a drop of balsamic vinegar. Top!

Wonderfully creamy and mouth coating, even somewhat syrupy. Loads of oak (but not butter!) that gives a spiciness and depth with delicious roasted nuts in honey, mildly burnt cake, chestnuts and liquorice. Midpalate it becomes quite bold. Woodsmoke and even a salty edge turn op. Sexy! Very outspoken and complex.

Wonderfully long and balanced finish, in which coffee and balsamic linger.

What a lovely surprise! This is one of the best Auchentoshan I have had. Thanks, Tom!