Bresser & Timmer is one of the most notable whisky importers in the Netherlands, representing a few interesting brands, such as Cadenhead’s, Compass Box and Tomatin, but also That Boutique-y Whisky Company. In september, Bresser & Timmer celebrated their 25th anniversary, which prompted them to bottle a slew of single cask releases.
Today’s Auchentoshan 24 Years Old from That Boutique-y Whisky Company is one of those single casks. It was launched at their 25th Anniversary Super Tasting, where it was presented by Mal Spence, their Global Head of Advocacy. This Glaswegian former bartender is relatively new to the company, and fittingly is an Auchentoshan obsessive. The closest distillery to where he lives, and at one point he returned there every week, annoying the staff with ever nerdier questions.
Auchentoshan is a bit of an odd duckling in Scotland, as it is one of the very few distilleries applying triple distillation. To me, Auchentoshan is one of those middle of the road distilleries: always decent, never spectacular. I really do hope to encounter an exceptional Auchentoshan some time. Maybe today is that day.
Auchentoshan 24 Years Old (47,6%, That Boutique-y Whisky Company, 290 bts.)
Nose: Very grassy and heathery, with a whiff of chalk and a surprising whisper of rye bread. There’s a touch of honey, and it is slightly citric too, as well as showcasing a hint of peach. Finally also a touch of cardboard.
Taste: Quite sweet. Sugar-y almost. Cotton candy is probably closest to what I get here. Quickly though, this transforms into hints of pink grapefruit and mango, with a whisper of ginger and notes of cardboard. Hints of Littlemill here.
Finish: Cardboard and oak, before becoming fruitier again.
Rating: 88
Maybe not very complex, but that’s about the only real fault that I can find. It is interesting, flavourful and very convincing. Indeed, my favourite Auchentoshan so far, by quite a distance.
