Review by: The Muskox

After the constant urging of an Auchentoshan die-hard friend of mine, I’ve finally got an older vintage in the glass in front of me. I’ve had some good Auchentoshan before, but I wouldn’t say it’s a favourite. Let’s see if I just need to go further back in time.

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Distillery: Auchentoshan.

Bottler: Scott’s Selection.

Region: Lowlands.

ABV: 52.4%. Cask strength.

Age: 21 years. Distilled in 1983. Bottled in 2004.

Cask type: “Oak cask” according to the label, but I’d guess refill barrel.

Price: N/A, sample

Color: 0.3 Pale Straw. Natural Color. Non-chill-filtered.

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Nose: Whoa, that’s strange. There’s a very pungent custardy sweetness – cheese danishes dusted with powdered sugar. This is along with bursting yeast, sesame oil, gasoline, smashed river stones, fresh suede, and somehow something charred. Creamy and overripe fruit notes of banana, lychee, and a little lime zest. Plastic flowers meant to smell like real flowers. Sesame oil.

Palate: Medium-thick texture. Arrives sweet and luscious with pears, banana, lemongrass, soft pretzels with coarse salt, and lots of grass. The sweetness rapidly turns to rich bitter and musty herbs, treated lumber, plasticene, hops, and more smashed rocks. Underneath it all is this very old-school floral character.

Finish: Medium-length, very sweet. Powdered sugar and fruit cocktail. Wet clay and talcum powder. Plastic flowers and cooked green veggies.

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Possible SMWS bottling name: “Basement offices at the bagel factory”

Conclusion: Strange. So strange. Completely naked spirit with no cask whatsoever – that’s not usually a bad thing, but there are some rough edges here that feel really underdressed. I like the maltiness, flower and fruit, but not the plastic or raw sappiness. Overall, an interesting whisky that I never need to try again.

Final Score: 71.

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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.