The Toshan Man
Mark Dermul
Sample trading?
If you can help me expand my whisky palate, especially Auchentoshan, get in touch with me. Much obliged!
Auchentoshan 25 Year Old 1990 The Whiskyman
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Auchentoshan
23 Year Old 1992 Maltbarn Number of bottles: undisclosed ABV : 52,0% Color : Old Gold Tasted on 29/10/2016 |
Mokatine
After the Bowmore and Glen Scotia, the Flemish bottler The Whiskyman now brings us a new ‘rock whisky’. This time it is a nod to the ‘Cold Hearted Man’ by AC/DC, but what interests me more is the fact that Dominiek has bottled my beloved Auchentoshan for the first time. The spirit is a quarter century old. But… I must admit that this tasting note was very, very difficult for me to finalize. I had first tried this one in October when it was released. I did not work for me then. During the event release of my whisky book, I tried it again – several times. Same result. What is it about this Toshan, I wonder? End of March, I had put in in a line-up at an Auchentoshan Tasting and finally I was able to appreciate it. Albeit after I had left it to breath for 15 minutes! So – today I will take plenty of time for it. Four times is a charm?
Typical grassy and malty nose with loads of citrusy elements. Think lime and some candied lemon peel. A drop of olive oil makes it stand out. Or is that baking butter? After a few moments it turns a bit herbal. Pine needles? And do I detect a trace of smoke as well? I am not yet blown away, but after leaving it for 15 minutes I get wonderfully sweet notes as if from a Mokatine – a Belgian caramel and coffee candy, also known as a ‘little arab’ in my neck of the woods.
It lacks fruitiness on the palate – something I expect from Toshan – and turns spicy and mildly bitter from the start. White pepper and the flesh of a white grapefruit. Quite an active cask, I presume. Again it is much better and sweeter if you leave it for a while. Tasting this after it has just been poured offers a rather soury, dirty Auchentoshan with a strange smoky edge. After 15 miniutes, however, it becomes round and sweet on mocha and coffee. Mokatine, as I have said.
The finish is fairly long and spicy with a drying effect.
It’s a-typical character makes it very interesting, surly, but I would lie if I told you I liked it straight away. This was damn hard work, to be honest, but it is indeed a special bottling. Around 145 EUR.