The Toshan Man

Every time Auchentoshan opens a new cask for the visitors, I’m right there to order a few bottles. For each and every one of them is good to excellent. Having said that, I do not have an open bottle of this one (of which the cask is already replaced again), but luckily my buddy Anthony also brought a bottle from his recent visit and offered me a generous sample.

Autumn is the first thing that comes to mind when I put my nose in the glass. Molded wood, potpourri, autumn leaves, a walk through the forest after a heavy downpour… delicious. That is upholstered with dark and sweet notes of mokatine, rum raisins, dark chocolate and sniffing tobacco. Cloves and cinnamon kick in. Suddenly reminds me of a rhum agricole, but that’s no punishment.

It is very creamy and a touch piquant with the first sip. Seville oranges, candied citrus peel, apricot marmalade, chocolate… yes, this has all the hallmarks of an oloroso cask. It’s very good, believe me. More than that, it’s excellent. And best of all? Tasted blind, I’d still be able to recognize Auchentoshan. The distillery character shines through despite the heavy influence of the cask. In that regard it reminds me of cask #256 that I tried earlier this year. This one is just a tad more refined.

If the finish lasted any longer, I’d be doing the graveyard shift…

Who said that young whisky cannot compete with older whisky? I beg to differ. Thanks, Anthony. This was quite the party. Luckily the sample is so generous that I can pour me two more. Slàinte!