Over to the Lowlands for a 16 year old Auchentoshan that’s been matured in a 1st fill ex-Bourbon hogshead for 15 years and then finished in an oloroso sherry hogshead for an additional year. One of 220 bottles. Sweet, Fruity & Mellow profile.
Nose: Pronounced cinnamon coated apples. Lovely. Honey, walnuts, spice-baked fruit sit alongside baking powder, sour grapes and aromas of woodland ferns. A few drops of water really changes the complexion of this nose in to something surprisingly like a fine grappa.
Taste: Rich and quite full, packed with earthy and spice dipped fruits (apples and peaches), baking spices including cinnamon a pinch of salt and some mild nuttiness. Dilution further enhances the fruiter side of this whisky, bringing out a basket of ripe orchard fruits.
Finish: Medium, favouring spiced fruits and a medley of nuts.
A very well put together lively Auchentoshan that has retained all of its pronounced fruitiness and distillery character. Well worth experimenting with water for a very different grape-led experience.