Auchentoshan 1998/2010 (54.6%, OB, Sherry Cask Matured) Limited Edition

“Distilled in 1998 and matured in European Oak, Fino Sherry barrels until bottled in 2010. Limited Edition.  The nose is clean and vibrant with lots of sherry goodness along with cedar influence, hints of candle wax, varnish and cold unsweetened black tea (and no milk).  It’s good. There are also some Christmas cake but the light version, not the heavy dark version. Hints of marmalade too. The box of tricks here. With water a bit more of the green emerges and a bit more of the varnish. The taste is malty at first with some hints of green and then the sherry and European oak take over and at cask strength it’s very strong and alive, vibrant with some Weetabix like in the back ground. With water it is significantly more approachable and more syrupy but the sherry notes are still present. The finish is a roiling adventure with the sherry notes, the malt and the cedar/oak spice having a really good tussle. It’s quite long and certainly not gentle but it’s good. Water smoothes it out and actually lengthens and broadens the finish. A bit more of the ‘all mouth’ experience.

Takes water but don’t go over board. An interesting variation from the other official bottlings and very good.

S65

Score 84 points.

Visit Auchentoshan Distillery at www.auchentoshan.co.uk