January 21, 2015

Auchentoshan vs. Auchentoshan

Let’s have a little Auchentoshan today, that’ll give us ‘an illusion of summer’.

Auchentoshan 23 yo 1990/2014 (47.7%, Whisky Fässle and Whiskybase, hogshead)

A joint bottling, two different labels. Colour: white wine. Nose: no wham-bam-here-I-am whisky at all, this is a light whisky that needs your attention before you notice these notes of Haribo bears, of tinned peaches, of cut grass, of freshly brewed Japanese green tea, and of unlit menthol cigarettes. I also find beautiful whiffs of honeysuckle tea, as well as touches of artisan marzipan. You just have to not rush it. Mouth: almost desert. Limejuice, custard, liquorice allsorts, some kind of sweet oil, some barley sugar and, once again tinned peaches and apricots. Would be perfect to wet some fruit salad. Oily texture.

Finish: of medium length, just as fruity and oily as before. Comments: most certainly one of the better Auchentoshans. It’s got something Irish and reminds me of Redbreast 12. Yeah, honest. SGP:531 - 85 points.

Auchentoshan 21 yo 1992/2014 (52.1%, Whisky Fässle, hogshead)

This one’s younger but it’s also pretty stronger, so I thought we’d have it as #2. The colour is also darker. Colour: gold. Nose: styles are obviously similar, but this one feels a little rougher and more spirity. That might just be the higher strength, so… With water: wow, we managed to copy the 1990! Aren’t we good? Ok, ok, ok… Mouth (neat): oh excellent, this is tart and zesty, and is a little reminiscent of Rosebank. Bags and bags of all things made by Haribo, rather of the lemon-flavoured kind. Sweets, drops, jellies and other less reputable things. Really fun! With water: once again, we replica-ed the 1990. So proud… Right, this one has a tad more citrus, perhaps, as well as a little more fudge. Finish: medium, citrusy, slightly candied. Comments: these Auchentoshans aren’t deep whiskies, but I find them refreshingly joyful, and I think they like not to be ridden with oaky flavours. SGP:531 - 85 points.

Check the index of all Auchentoshan I've tasted so far