Review by: TOModera
Hey all, wannabe snob TOModera (it’s prounounced TO-mu-du-RA, to sound fake French) here with my 60th review!
I picked a special dram that I’ve been having trouble finding here in Ontario, Auchentoshan Valinch. Valinch is the name of the pipette used to draw whisky straight from the cask. This is Auchentoshan’s much requested response to everyone telling them to stop chill filtering and give us something Cask Strength. There’s no age statement, however based on the website’s comparison with the Classic, I’d probably estimate that I don’t know how long it was in the Cask.
And as usual, I’d like to send a shout out to Feather’s Pub in Toronto for being awesome and having this whisky in stock. Feather’s Pub: I talk about them enough you think I am paid to promote them.
Distillery: Auchentoshan Distillery.
Bottler: Distillery Bottling.
Region: Lowland.
ABV: 57.2%. Cask strength.
Age: Bottled in 2012.
Cask type: First-fill Bourbon Cask.
Price: N/A in Ontario at the moment
Color: Chardonnay
Nose: Mango, perfume, mustard, oranges, cherry, grass, gasoline, brown sugar, banana, lime, violets
A lot stronger, more present nose than I’m used to. Never thought I’d smell a mango/mustard perfume, but there you go. And I didn’t even have to date a teen who works at a McDonalds to smell it! Awesome! No cheating on my wife with someone WAY too young for me!
Taste: Lime, spicy pepper, mango, burn, yeast, orange, caramel, cinnamon, oak, cherry, lettuce
Very complex, and very hot on the tongue. This has a lot of the characteristics of other Auchentoshan’s I’ve had, however it has more of a good texture and great complexity.
I want more… something though. Maybe more oak? Don’t know. I’d know it if they made it, though I can’t say it so I’m of no help. Yay indecisiveness!
Finish: Lime, brine, cherry, lemon pepper, nutmeg, earth, garam masala, mint
The mint is what differentiates this from all other Lowland’s I’ve had. It’s fresh and nice and is the major factor that stays with you as the rest of the finish fads away.
Conclusion: I am becoming more and more of a fan of Auchentoshan with each one I have. They try different things, they set themselves apart from others, and they are great to have on a hot summer’s night. That being said, I dock points for not being in the cask for longer. This one could have been the Lowland to knock people out of thinking of the region as a runner-up. I think this is an excellent start to something that Auchentoshan should continue and grow upon.
Final Score: 84.
Scoring Legend:
- 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
- 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
- 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
- 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
- 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
- 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
- 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
- 50-59: Save it for mixing.
- 0-49: Blech.
Malt Runners 