Auchentoshan distillery was founded in 1823 on Auchentoshan Estate, in Dalmuir, Clydebank, Glasgow, by John Bulloch, a local corn merchant. John soon suffered bankruptcy and the distillery was sold to his distiller (John Hart) and a local farmer.

The distillery was sold onwards in 1877 and then again in 1903 to John & George MacLachlen but in 1941 the distillery stopped production.

Production resumed in 1948 and the distillery was sold to J&R Tennant in the early 1960's.

The distillery was expanded in 1974 and a decade later sold to Morrison Bowmore Distillers Ltd who in turn, are now owned by Suntory, which is the current status as I write this in December 2010.

General whisky characteristics: Dry grass and floral toffee

Auchentoshan, 10y, 40% ABV

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Nose: Very slight hints of lemon over hay and leather.

Palate: Smooth and silky with faint butterscotch, malt and very slightly perfumed ginger.

Overall Impression: A light and interesting aperitif whisky.

Auchentoshan, 10y, 40% ABV

Presentation in metal tin

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Rich sunny amber

Nose: As above, slightly citrus hay and straw with a hint of leather. Citrus is more lime than lemon.

Palate: Yes, initially smooth, quite silky, definite butterscotch and floral ginger.

Finish: Medium

Overall Impression: A real Summer dram and/or Aperitif.

Auchentoshan, 12y, 40% ABV

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Rich sunny amber

Nose: Faint hay & straw, also floral rubber wellies with leather soles.

Palate: Smooth but sligthly watery mouth-feel. Slight farmyard impression due to the hay and straw, but also faint ginger with popcorn & nuts.

Finish: Medium to long.

Overall Impression: Slightly richer and more flavoursome than the 10y. I definitely prefer this one.

Auchentoshan, 3 Wood, 43% ABV

matured in three different sherry casks

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Nose: Treacle toffee, sherry, dark chocolate and a little citrus trying to break through.

Palate: Toffee, sherry, chocolate and dark fruit (black cherries and bramble) with a long finish of marzipan and nuts which fades slowly.

Overall Impression: This is an interesting whisky as it is a lowlander which is heavily sherried from three different types of cask. However, even through the sherry and wood, the typical light and aromatic lowland attributes of Auchentoshan can still be determined through all those dark, heavy flavours.

A second tasting at a later date:

Nose: I have tried this before, but for some reason, the first notes to hit me today were those of a deliciously aromatic cheese. A clear reminder of some of those wonderful cheese stalls in the local markets. This soon faded and gave way to a more normal nose of wood, sherry and aromatic malt.

No, I tell lies, that cheese just came back again!
I never experienced this before with this 3 Wood, but it is very different and very pleasing.

Palate: Initially smooth and woody, with some marzipan notes. The nuts and marzipan actually increase in the aftertaste, before gently fading into the back of the throat.

Overall Impression: This is a thoroughly pleasant dram, but when it comes to sherried whiskies, it is no more than average. Especially alongside some of the wonderful offerings currently available.
But then again, they are mostly older and more expensive.

Independent Bottlers (IB)

Coopers Choice, Auchentoshan, 1991, 46% ABV

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Dram-atics live review

Glass: Munich Whisky Festival 2011

Colour: Extremely pale straw

Nose: Very powerful with perfumed hay and grasses partnering something quite citrus (lemon) and a touch of fresh wood.

Palate: The palate is also fresh with lemon alongside the hay making it quite sharp and a little bitter.

Finish: Long sharp and slightly bitter.

Overall Impression: Sadly I was a little disappointed with this one, but that's more down to my taste preferences than the whisky itself.

James McA. "Old Masters", Auchentoshan, 12y, 1998-2011, 62.9% ABV

Bourbon wood, Cask No.102338

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Reviewed as part of MMA 2011

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Very clear and shiny pale yellow

Nose: This is all quite faint and subdued but after some time hints of polished wood appear, followed by some gentle flora. This gradually develops further to become sweet and almost lightly perfumed.

Palate: Lightly perfumed and floral, almost cognac-like in style. There's also a bit of alcohol burn, perhaps this needs some water?

Finish: Long light and floral.

Overall Impression: Light and most enjoyable. Give it some time and perhaps a couple of drops of water.

LMDW. "Artist" series, Auchentoshan, over 10 years, 54.6% ABV

Distilled 2001, bottled 2016, one of 68 bottles

Bourbon barrel, Cask No.8000108

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Very pale yellow

Nose: Initially a dried grassiness with some (surprising) mild hints of furniture polish. After a few minutes in the glass a fruitiness reminiscent of green apple develops.

Palate: Very fruity with suggestions of green apple, pear and vanilla all deployed in a palate-warming way.

Finish: Long, repeating and warming.

Overall Impression: Light and fruity, perfect for a summer evening on the patio.