Auchentoshan Classic Review

Hi everyone,

I have only reviewed four Auchentoshan’s in the past. The triple distilled, impossible to pronounce first time distillery is likely the most well known of the few lowland distilleries.

Once again, I am trying to complete my 101 Whiskies to Try before You Die and this Classic was one of the more difficult ones to find as Auchentoshan discontinued this is favour of the ‘American Oak.’

This makes 85/101, so I’m well on my way!

 

Auchentoshan Classic 40%

Colour: Light Gold (Though probably coloured)

Body: Light

Nose: Ah, an interesting mix of yeasty rising bread and rubbery garbage... Rotting banana, some green apple, lemon that's been left out too long, cardboard.

Taste: Soft arrival, fresh fruit with green apple and a little lemon, then the Jura-esque yeast comes in and ruins everything, rubbery, feinty and gross.

Finish: Short/Medium length. Cardboard.

From Bourbon barrels apparently. I don't seem to like Auchentoshan very much. One of the worst whiskies I have ever had the pleasure to taste.

44/100

Thanks for reading!

Updated Distillery Rankings

Scotch Review #837

Whisky Network Review #1002

Network Average: 75.2

Best Score: 94

Worst Score: 12

0-49 Terrible

50-59 Bad

60-64 Just About OK

65-69 Ok to Good

70-74 Good

75-79 Very Good

80-84 Excellent

85-89 Superb

90+ Magnificent

Full Disclosure Disclaimer: I currently work as the Global Brand Ambassador for Penderyn Distillery. The views expressed here are purely my own and do not reflect the views of Penderyn Distillery or The Welsh Whisky Company. I try to maintain as much objectivity as I can but feel free to take my reviews with as big a pinch of salt as you like. Furthermore, my rating scale is NOT based on a Parker type wine scoring scale or a school/college/university % or A-F grade score. You can find more on my scoring here. I apologise for any seemly low or 'bad' scores given with my system and I am sorry I can't say only nice things. Please keep in mind that I am ethically compromised and I am unable to produce 100% unbiased reviews.

Why is this here?

Longmorn & Auchentoshan 1992 for Swiss Reviews

Hi everyone,

Two more single casks from Berry Bro’s & Rudd today, both from 1992, both exclusive for the Swiss market. I’ve said it before, but it’s worth reiterating that, yes, you probably aren’t going to find these unless you live in Switzerland but Berry Bros might have similar casks that they might end up releasing in your country, so it’s worth reviewing them I think.

I’ve heard good things about older Longmorn (even better things about MUCH older Longmorn) and indie Auchentoshan, so I was looking forward to ending my Swiss tasting with these.

 

Longmorn 1992 Berry Bro’s for Swiss 50.1%
Colour: Gold

Body: Medium/Full

Nose: Slightly tropical fruit, mango, dry oak, quite austere but nice. Like an old Springbank without the smoke.

Taste: Juicy, mango, some pineapple, lovely mouthfeel, chalky, some white pepper but very soft.

Finish: Medium/Long length. Soft but keeps going, chalky and tropical.

Bottled 2014 at 22 years old. A nice style. This is only the second Longmorn I’ve had but their stuff seems to have those nice tropical notes you’d get in older Springbank or Laphroaig.

79/100

Auchentoshan 1992 Berry Bro’s for Swiss 52.8%

Colour: Light Gold

Body: Medium

Nose: Ah, off. Burnt rubber like a wall, burning tyres. No getting past it.

Taste: Vanilla and burnt rubber, a bit harsh too, harsh spice.

Finish: Long length. Dry, oak, not as bad.

I was looking forward to a light, delicate Lowland to finish the Swiss tasting and unfortunately, I got this rubber monster. Don’t know how it ever got to this state, was the spirit like that in the first place? I doubt it, perhaps the barrel? Or could be an off bottle?

53/100

Honourable mention needs to go to the 50 year old Madeira I tasted at the dinner after the event. Has to be the best after dinner drink ever. So, bloody good.

Thanks for reading!

Scotch Reviews #510-#511

Whisky Network Reviews #590-#591

Network Average: 74.6

Best Score: 92

Worst Score: 22

0-49 Terrible

50-59 Bad

60-64 Just About OK

65-69 Ok to Good

70-74 Good

75-79 Very Good

80-84 Excellent

85-89 Superb

90+ Magnificent

Full Disclosure Disclaimer: I currently work as a Brand Ambassador for Penderyn Distillery. The views expressed here are purely my own and do not reflect the views of Penderyn Distillery or The Welsh Whisky Company. I try to maintain as much objectivity as I can but feel free to take my reviews with as big a pinch of salt as you like. Furthermore, my rating scale is NOT based on a Parker type wine scoring scale or a school/college/university % or A-F grade score. You can find more on my scoring here. I apologise for any seemly low or 'bad' scores given with my system and am sorry I can't say only nice things. Please keep in mind that I am ethically compromised and am unable to produce 100% unbiased reviews.

Why is this here?

Auchentoshan Reviews: American Oak, 12yo & Three Wood

Hey guys,

Back again with some more for the archives. Today it’s three Auchentoshans, the only distillery to triple distil… every drop and one of the only Lowland distilleries left. First up, the American Oak, then the 12yo and the 3 wood.

Auchentoshan American Oak 40%

Colour: E150a

Body: Light/Medium

Nose: Loads of marzipan, marshmallow, ripe juicy mango, underripe banana, toasted oak, honey.

Taste: Toasted oak, honey, toasted marshmallow, some mango, lots of marzipan.

Finish: Short length. Some toasty marzipan.

Notes: A marzipan bomb. Bit of a one note whisky though.

64/100

Auchentoshan 12 year old 40%

Colour: E150a

Body: Light

Nose: Light, roasted nut, almond, toasted oak, toasted malt and a little sherry sweetness. Wood polish, marshmallow, toasted marshmallow, some toffee, barley sugar and mango juice.

Taste: Light sherry sweetness coming through, mango juice and marshmallow with toasted oak and nut, a sour note, woody into the finish.

Finish: Medium length. Chewy wood and tannins.

Notes: Pleasant but average.

67/100

Auchentoshan Three Wood 43%

Colour: E150a but dark

Body: Medium/Full

Nose: Quite intensely fruity. Sticky, dried fruit, raisin, stewed fig, sticky toffee pudding. More pastry coming out with vanilla and strudel.

Taste: Intense fruit and sweetness. Raisin, fig, date, toffee, chewy caramel. Then spices and dark chocolate going into the finish.

Finish: Medium/Long length. Rich spices.

Notes: Using 3 different cask types: Bourbon barrels, and then a finishing in Oloroso Sherry and PX Sherry casks. Although the wood is only the 1 type, not 3: Oak (damned marketing).

Much better than I expected. I kinda regret not getting a bottle when Tesco had it at half price (£23 I think).

74/100

Reviews #131-133

Network Average: 74.8

Best Score: 91

Worst Score: 44

0-49 Terrible

50-59 Bad

60-64 Just About OK

65-69 Ok to Good

70-74 Good

75-79 Very Good

80-84 Excellent

85-89 Superb

90+ Magnificent