The Toshan Man

In November 2019 Auchentoshan launched an Amazon Exclusive with their Sauvignon Blanc Finish, a fresh and new triple distilled Lowlander which, according to the tagline on the box, is ‘crafted to be enjoyed chilled’. Wait! What? Seriously? I am not very fond of cooling my whisky (nor do I have good experience with it), so I was pretty skeptical. But when the bottles arrived early December, I got to work. And behold: it is good, but when chilled it is very surprising indeed!

Soft and sweet spring fresh nose that bursts with citrus (lemon and grapefruit) and young apples. Some vanilla. Not much else, it is true, but that’s okay for this is already quite pleasant. Smells like a good glass of Sauvignon Blanc on steroids. It is much lighter and more fresh and less sweet than the standard American Oak. It kind of reminds me of the Auchentoshan Select from way back when. That is a good thing. With a cube of ice – I had to try, right? – the nose understandably closes somewhat, but does offer a nice note of jasmine. This is good and a textbook example of young Auchentsohan.

Neat at 47% it is quite enjoyable on green grapes, a tart note that is immediately softened up by some acacia honey, a pinch of white pepper and some oak. Lemon curd, litchi and honeydew melon. A bit zesty. When chilled, it is again a lot less outspoken, but very accessible and fresh. It redefines aperitif.

The finish is medium long when neat, with a nice salty (!) note at the death, while chilled the finish becomes even longer and somewhat drying with a lovely peppery note at the very last moment.

In my book, this is the old Select with a soft wine touch. So good. Sure, I am prejudiced being the Toshan Man, but this is a lovely aperitif style Scotch that I will gladly serve my guests this coming holiday season… with a cube of ice, a slice of apple and a leaf of mint in a wine glass!