Auchentoshan Distillery, founded in 1823, stands in the Scottish Lowlands near Glasgow and is one of the few distilleries in Scotland to use triple distillation for every batch, producing a notably light and delicate single malt… sometimes hidden by heavy wood lifting. Auchentoshan enjoys an active market presence worldwide, particularly in Europe and Asia, and is owned by Beam Suntory, which helps ensure visibility across major retail and online platforms. While whisky enthusiasts recognize Auchentoshan for its distinct style, it often sits just below the mainstream radar; the brand is respected but not as heavily marketed or hyped as some other single malts. Let’s have another look at them, as they are under my radar as well, with the Auchentoshan 10-year-old batch 7 from That Boutique-y and a 2009 handfill.
Auchentoshan 10-year-old Batch 7 That Boutique-y Whisky Company Review
Our first Auchentoshan of the day comes from That Boutique-y Whisky Company’s seventh batch and features a 10-year-old single malt. The bottle doesn’t specify the cask type, but its light color suggests maturation in an ex-bourbon cask, possibly a refill. The whisky was reduced to 47.1% ABV before bottling, which likely also contributes to its pale appearance. Bottled for the US market, this release contains no added color and is non-chill filtered, with 764 bottles filled in the 375 ml Boutique-y US format.
Colour:
Pale straw.
Nose:
Neat: Hay mingles with a gentle sweetness reminiscent of popcorn and caramel, while a few drops of lemon juice. A soft sharpness sits in the background for those who try to get more out of the nose.
Palate:
Neat: The palate brings sweet and mildly spicy flavours, led by tinned peaches in syrup and overripe bananas. Milk and white chocolate lend a creamy texture, complemented by a dash of pepper before the woodiness sets in, moving towards the feeling of raw planks.
Finish:
Initially, the finish brings good intensity with echoes of peaches, plum, and milk chocolate. These notes recede quickly, giving way to lingering wood and pepper, which remain at a gentler level.
Comments:
This young Auchentoshan offers an easy-drinking experience, yet lacks distinctive character, a trend I’ve seen across others from the distillery so far. While it’s pleasant, approachable, and undemanding—sometimes exactly what suits the moment—it seldom stands out or intrigues, leaving the drinker wishing for a bit more complexity in the glass.
Rating: 6/10
Auchentoshan 2009 Distillery Cask Oloroso #4389 (2019) Review
Auchentoshan triple distilled this whisky on the 25th of November 2009 and matured it for nine years in Oloroso sherry cask #4389. On the 5th of August 2019, this very bottle was hand-filled as part of the Distillery Cask series. With natural colour and no chill filtration, this expression stands at a robust 58.9% ABV. At the time, a 700 ml bottle cost the equivalent of €97, and Auchentoshan also offered it in a 200 ml format.
Colour:
Burnt umber with a red hue.
Nose:
Neat: The aroma opens with ripe plums and figs, intertwined with the rich scent of old leather and red berries. Despite the high strength, the nose remains smooth without any burn. Subtle notes of damp autumn leaves and freshly ground dried leaves add earthiness, while dark caramel and rum raisin ice cream provide a sweet, indulgent layer.
With water: Adding water sharpens the nose, bringing forward sawdust, warm spices, and molasses, while the fruitiness becomes less prominent.
Palate:
Neat: The palate strongly reflects sherry influence, with flavours of raisins, prunes, dates, leather, and chocolate. A hint of raspberry jam, citrus peel, ginger, and pepper add a bit of complexity and a pleasant tartness. The mouthfeel is rich and syrupy.
With water: Water draws out molasses notes, giving a rum-like character and introducing a touch of bitterness. The fruit notes briefly fade but soon return as dark berries.
Finish:
The finish offers a medium length warmth, highlighting lemon and red berries. It evokes the comforting richness of a strong stout beer, akin to a Belgian Christmas brew.
Comments:
This Auchentoshan noticeably surpasses the Boutique-y release, despite ratings showing only a slight difference. Drinking it neat, the whisky’s ABV feels manageable, and its aroma is far more expressive and engaging. Rather than resembling a typical Auchentoshan, it feels like sipping from an active Oloroso cask, showcasing more complexity and depth than expected, but overwriting any distillery character.