The Toshan Man

Mustard

This is the first Auchentoshan bottled by the German indie Maltbarn. The Lowlander was distilled in 1992. It matured for the full 23 years on a bourbon cask, which then yielded 134 bottles at cask strength. I like the label. Let us see if I like the contents of the bottle as well.

The nose is surprisingly creamy on hay, oranges, but also candied ginger and something that reminds me of an effervescent tablet. To be clear: this is not an off-note. I also get a weird mix of nettles and candied sugar, but again: it works! Water changes its profile somewhat and then give me – do not laugh – some wet clay!

It is quite creamy on the palate and immediately spicy. Think pepper, ginger and some nutmeg. Maybe even some mustard! Loads of grass, now. Much more than on the nose. Then the fruit kicks in. Mostly grapefruit with a hint of blood oranges. Touch bitter, but certainly not over the top. Au contraire! Wonderfully zesty. Water takes away some of the spices and makes it more fruity Now it is all about citrus.

Fairly long finish on all kinds of citrus fruit.

Great cask selection, I find! With a drop of water, it becomes very outspoken. Maltbarn has just appeared on my scope. Thank you, Dirk of Dram242, for the sample.