THE LOWLAND DELIGHTS OF AUCHENTOSHAN

Often overlooked, the Lowlands have a tremendous experience to offer. Specifically – an elegant drinking experience for those that actually love to drink their whisky, not just watch it collect dust on the shelf. Featured here is one of our favorite Lowland distilleries: Auchentoshan. The only Scottish malt to be 100% triple distilled, the entire lineup screams elegance and harmony. That’s not to say the whiskies are all light, which is often the notion regarding lowland malts. The base of all Auchentoshan expressions, the unpeated new malt spirit, is light and fruity with a beautiful character reminiscent of a fresh farmhouse ale, complete with a full complement of stone fruit notes and lovely baked-bread aromas. This is the DNA of Auchentoshan – a clean, bright, and fruity malt. This lighter bodied spirit plays very well in a wide variety of casks, but has the intensity of flavor to stand up to even boldest of sherry casks and still hold its character.

Auchentoshan Three Wood Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($56.99)

One of the most impressive bottlings in Auchentoshan’s line up is the humble Three Wood. Filled in three different barrel types, this dram showcases American Bourbon casks, Spanish Oloroso butts, and unctuous Pedro Ximenez casks. This cask regimen does several things. The bourbon highlights the inherent fruity, vanilla cake, and creme brulee character of the spirit. The Olorosso adds gobs of cocoa, nuttiness, and toffee. And of course, the PX dials up a beautiful sweetness, intensity, and raisined fruits. While this triple casks regime adds layers of complexity, body, and richness, it also belies the notion that Lowland whisky is light and simple. At just $56.99 this is a shameless sherry dram for everyday enjoyment. While the Lowlands does have some highly coveted bottles, it’s this kind of easy enjoy-ability that makes it such a special place for whisky.

Auchentoshan “Bartender’s Malt – Edition 1” Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($44.95)

Equally as noteworthy is the “Bartender’s Malt – Edition 1.” Auchentoshan named this whisky the “Bartender’s Malt” because it was designed and blended by a team of twelve different bartenders from all over the world who helped to select the barrels. Here’s the really compelling part: they used single malt whisky from the 1970s, ‘80s, ‘90s, 2000s, and current decade in the blend, from ex-Bourbon, ex-Sherry, ex-wine, and even German oak barrels! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: innovative blends like this are what’s going to drive the business forward, especially in a market where single barrel pricing is proving to be cost prohibitive and access is getting more and more difficult. For a very affordable price, this is a drinker’s whisky. It is absolutely jam-packed with sweet barley flavor, loads of vanilla, spicy ginger, candied orange peel, and a symphony of oak and baking spices on the finish that light up your mouth for minutes with distinct and supple flavors of milk chocolate. Bottled at 47% ABV, it’s got punch as well.