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Auchentoshan Bartender’s Malt

47% ABV - Lowlands, Scotland

Nose: This has some very distinct flavours: red apples, ripe pears, rum cake, cinnamon, spices, and honey, with floral characteristics, cereal notes, and a lightly toasted or smokey quality.

Taste: Things start to blend together now. Red fruits, citrus, spices, cherrywood, liquorice, and mild tropical fruits - is that a hint from new oak?

Finish: Lasting spices, red fruits, cherries, peppercorn, Demerara sugar, and just the twist of wet leather.

This represents one of the more flavourful whiskies out there, to my palate. Not so much for its complexity, but the feeling that it’s all over the place! Is that the intention? A single malt for bartenders to use in their cocktails that can take the abuse of any flavourful dilution? I am convinced it could have any or all of sherry, rum, ex-bourbon, and new oak maturation or finishing. For the record, the website states, “American and European [Oak] as well as a variety of sherry casks, red wine barriques and German Oak.” Whatever the combination is, it works and it’s enjoyable – it really is a journey.

I credit Auchentoshan as being my first “fine” whisky. The first whisky where I looked at the price tag and thought, “this must be a fine whisky.” It was the Auchentoshan American Oak. And while I have since learned that price doesn’t dictate quality, I certainly was pleased with the taste of that purchase! The American Oak had recently replaced the Auchentoshan Classic expression in the core range - in 2014 - so maybe you could even call the timing a flavour of destiny.

At that point in my life, I was working in the field of mineral exploration spending many weeks at a time away from home. Working in such a remote location - only accessible by helicopter - any form of alcohol was valued at a premium (and wasn’t even for sale on location). So a tighter knit group of 4-6 coworkers started a practice where every time we flew back in for another 28 days of labour, we would bring along something fun to share. Spirits became the preferred option, as it produced the best value for volume (not a lot of room in a helicopter for a flat of beer, you see). This stint of work also introduced to me to Wild Turkey (yes, the Auchentoshan proved more popular).

But I digress,... this flavour of Auchentoshan - the Bartender’s Malt - while near completely different than the American Oak, still offers myself some of that comfort and memory driven experience that I have associated with the brand ever since that fateful summer. I am looking forward to the second release!

Tasted 09 January 2019. (Posted 24 January 2019.)

86/100
Detailed Rating Information...

90+: Fantastic whisky; highly recommended.
My favourite whiskies – I might have more than one bottle if the price is right and the supply is limited! The higher values in this range will reflect a stronger balance and consistency between components.
85-89: Great whisky; recommended.
Whiskies that tick the flavour boxes and you'll likely hear about these from me. An easy decision to order at a bar/restaurant and one to consider buying a bottle of.
80-84: Very good whisky; recommended, but still consider trying before you buy.
Most of these whiskies I was really happy to have the opportunity to taste, but, apart from a dram here and there, I don’t think I would buy a bottle.
75-79: Good whisky; consider trying before you buy.
These are whiskies that I did enjoy drinking, but likely would reach for another bottle or select something different to order.
65-74: Average; consider trying before you buy, but not recommended.
There is nothing that stood out about this whisky and I might be inclined to mix it with soda or in a cocktail, instead of trying to enjoy its own flavours.
50-64: Bad; not recommended.
I didn’t like this and would sooner pass on another opportunity and order a beer instead than have it again… but never say never.


Whisky Bottle