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 23 Year Old 1996 Infrequent Flyers
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Auchentoshan
23 Year Old 1996 Barrel #243 Number of bottles: 195 ABV : 42.2% Color : light gold Tasted on 26/12/2019 |
To Regular to Stand out
Infrequent Flyers is a brand new series from the
recently started bottler Alistair Walker. Alistair is none other
than the son of living legend Billy Walker, currently owner of
GlenAllachie. So it’s fair to say Alistair knows his way around
whisky. He launched 18 single casks in 2019. When I read that one of
his first was an Auchentoshan, I obviously had to give that one a
try.
The nose is very soft on vanilla, dry wood, lime
and some hay and wild flowers. But I must confess I do not think
this exceptional at all. I mean, if you are not particularly fond of
Auchentoshan, it will not do anything for you. For me – as I can
recognize my beloved Lowlander – it’s a bit like coming home, but it
certainly does not blow me away. Very ordinary.
I get the typical citrusy and grassy notes on the
palate, but there is also a bitterness as if from chestnut and oak.
Green garden herbs and some almond shavings, but little outspoken
and therefore not overly pleasant.
Only in the finish does the vanilla return joined
by quite a perfumy note. Jasmin, mostly.
Being the Toshan Man, it hurts a little to have to say this, but honesty first: this Auchentoshan is to regular to stand out. Pity, but I would then rather spend that 150 EUR on three bottles of the new and fresh Sauvignon Blanc release.