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 13 Year Old 2007 Artist Collective
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Auchentoshan
13 Year Old
2007 La Maison du Whisky Artist Collective 5.6 Sherry Butt 1st Use Number of bottles : undisclosed ABV : 48.0% Color : mahogany Tasted on 22/12/2023 |
Greeting Card
This dark Auchentoshan – a two-barrel vatting – had been shining in my collection for two years, but since I had only found one bottle, I did not open it. Fast forward to November 2023 where I hosted a tasting in Gistel and one of the tasters – Kobus – brought this bottle because he wanted to taste it in the presence of the Toshan Man. An honor that I did not refuse. And after tasting it I knew: I have to get my hands on a bottle of this so I can open it myself! That has now happened and I am taking the time to thoroughly put it through its paces again.
The first thing I notice – and what I like very, very much – is that Auchentoshan's DNA is immediately recognizable. Lightly floral on lemongrass and that triple distilled subtlety. But of course, this is beautifully surrounded by delicious sherry notes with plums and dates, raisins and even some mocha on the inviting nose. Overripe peach and some apricots join in, while a soft funky touch like soy sauce and new sneakers add the finishing touches. Great nose, really!
On the palate it is a small sherry bomb with sweet notes of dark fruit à la plums and figs, but also chocolate and even some chewing tobacco. Some honey and mocha, but also some soy sauce and chewing tobacco. Nice continuation of the already excellent nose. And I must say that the modest ABV is good for it. This is extremely drinkable.
The finish is wonderfully long, warm with toffee and sweet sherry notes.
Excellent cask selection from La Maison du Whisky in their Artist Collective range. The label was created by the French artist Théo Guinard and was named Carte de Voeu – or Greeting Card.