The Toshan Man

When James Pithie and friends did a tour of Scotland in 2023, they brought a bottle from many distilleries, including Auchentoshan. Those bottles went into a tasting, which I was able to repeat at my home with James. And when it was the Auchentoshan's turn, James told me the story that he had named the Toshan Man on the spot, who had not yet tasted this chosen distillery exclusive. And the tour guide added: 'Then he probably hasn't tasted this one yet either' and put this sample in James' hands. James, conscientious as he is, handed it to me. I gratefully accepted, because indeed, since Brexit, my 'standing order' to have a bottle sent from every distillery exclusive has been put on hold. So I'm very happy to be able to taste it too!

Autumn in my glass! Raisins, candied dates and prunes in the front, nuts and some candy sugar in the background. Something that reminds me of potpourri and old bicycle tires. Cloves and snuff also play their part. Nice, but still less intense than the young oloroso-aged critters I tasted earlier (such as sister casks #4380 and #4389 from 2009). Heavenly!

Nice and oily and immediately nicely spiced on cloves, cinnamon and even some saffron and chili peppers. The plums and dates are now a lot more prominent, delivering a lot more sweetness and intensity than the nose announced (which is a relief). Nuts return, but also molded wood, candied blood oranges and maple syrup. Turns midpalate very good (although it still can't match the aforementioned sister barrels in terms of flavor intensity).

Yes! That's an aftertaste to be proud of. Long, spicy, warm, intense, full of flavour with a nice bitterness on the deathbed. Fine, if it weren't for the fact that it gets just a little too dry.

A lesser god than his predecessors, but still a delicious taste bomb from my beloved Lowlander. Thank you very much, James! This was, by the way, my 230th (!) Auchentoshan so far.