SMWS 5.124 A Clash of Tastes (Auchentoshan 20 Year Old)

SMWS 5.124 A Clash of Tastes (Auchentoshan 20 Year Old)

Region: Lowlands

ABV: 56.7%

Price: $230 (approx £172.00)

Distilled on the 27th January 2003 and fully matured in a first fill ex bourbon barrel, this triple distilled Auchentoshan was bottled in 2023 at 20 years for The Scotch Malt Whisky Society under the now defunct Juicy Oak & Vanilla profile. The majority of the cask was sold in the US market.

Nose

The nose is initially very perfumed, with sea salt and seaweed also prominent. Notes of pencil shavings, dry wood, lime peel and Appletiser follow. With time in the glass, papaya emerges, along with Opal Fruits, white grapes, icing sugar and a touch of burnt brown sugar. A little peppery spice shows the alcohol, but it is easy enough to push past. Exactly what you would expect from an Auchentoshan of this age in a first fill cask.

Palate

This kind of reminds us of a school tuck shop. The palate opens with fresh strawberry, custard creams, and milk chocolate. Strawberry fondant Quality Street appears on the mid palate, along with classic bourbon cask notes of barley sugar, icing sugar, and vanilla bonbons. The medium length finish brings light pepper spice and a slight roasted coffee bitterness alongside those sweeter notes. It has a good mouthfeel and good alcohol integration.

Nose (with water)

The nose with a few drops of water has some mango, more icing sugar, custard cream biscuits, and whipped cream. Jolly Rancher watermelon and Play Doh notes appear with patience. Most of the pre-dilution notes are still present. Dilution has also diminished the spice a touch.

Palate (with water)

The diluted palate shows flavours that are broadly similar to the nose after dilution. There is a touch more cinnamon spice on the finish, and the dram is a little more mouth drying now. A hint of dark chocolate bitterness appears on the finish. The mouthfeel is still good and the finish remains medium in length.

Conclusion

We had high hopes going into this one and while it is no doubt a good dram, we expected a little more complexity for the age. Still, there is a lot to enjoy here on both the nose and the palate.

Score: 7/10

Value

It feels a little too pricey to us, especially given that it is not the most complex dram you will ever have.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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