By
George Brozowski
Boy
oh boy, the holidays can sure be a major distraction
or a welcome change of pace from the everyday humdrum routines.
I think it just might be a combination of both, a bit of Yuletide
Yin and Yang if you will. I get so busy with decorating and
cooking and buying and wrapping presents and visiting with
friends, I almost forget to drink regularly, and for a guy
in the business of drinking regularly, that's a major distraction.
On top of that, it's really hard to evaluate a spirit much
less even be able to think straight when you're surrounded
by hyper active over sugared children and falling down drunk
relatives who believe everything tastes absolutely wonderful
and world peace will start at the end of this week and the
second coming of Jesus will take place next week Tuesday at
sunrise.
Well,
anyway: Ho, Ho, Ho, full speed ahead, damn the torpedoes,
muzzle the kids, throw the relatives out the front door, and
let's sit down and drink some Scotch before the next wave
of Christmas craziness assails us.
Every
time I hear the word Auchentoshan, I automatically
want to blurt out Gesundheidt, but then that's just me! Actually,
the good folks at Auchentoshan have been
making Scotch their own unique way since the mid 1800's. By
unique, I mean they don't peat smoke their barley like everyone
else, and they are the only ones to triple distill their scotch.
In addition, they not only use bourbon casks to mature their
scotch, they also use Oloroso Sherry casks and Pedro Ximenez
casks. It all sounds pretty darn intriguing, but the proof
is in the tasting, so let's get down to it.
First
up is the Auchentoshan American Oak Scotch.
It is a very, very pale yellow golden color. The nose lacks
the usual scotch smokiness, since the barley wasn't smoked
with peat during fermentation, leaving a clean, sharp nose
consisting mostly of vanilla, oak, a hint of bourbon and citrus.
All in all, it's quite inviting. On the palate, the oak steps
forward, followed by the vanilla and citrus, while maintaining
a fresh and crisp barley and crème brulee flavor that
hints at aging without getting overly complicated. The finish
is smooth and short and sweet leaving a very clean palate.
This is a sipper that could be enjoyed all year round thanks
to its delightful crispness. And I must admit, I don't miss
the smoky peat flavor at all.
Next
up is the Auchentoshan Three Wood Scotch
- so named as it is matured first in American Bourbon casks
and then Spanish Oloroso Sherry casks and finally Pedro Ximinex
Sherry casks. This ought to be interesting. The color is a
rich bourbon hue of golden brown. The nose is fruity with
raisin, raspberry, orange, and sugar forward, backed by a
sweet oakiness. On the palate, the woodsy oak flavors come
forward, followed by the sweetness of the bourbon and sherry
and then followed by the fruit and ending in a very definite
and sweet scotch taste. The finish is smooth and long leaving
a sweet oaky scotch flavor that is very crisp and clean. This
one is certainly more complex than the first but not overly
complicated either. It is crisp and clean and easy on both
the nose and tongue and throat - definitely another year round
sipper.
These
Auchentoshan scotches should become part
of your collection if they are not already. Put them up there
next to your smoky, peaty, salty, chocolaty, complex scotches
and you'll be delighted in the difference. Auchentoshan
American Oak 750ml bottles are $39.99. Auchentoshan
Three Wood single malt scotch is available at $64.99
per 50ml bottle.
For
more Rants & Raves click
here.
www.auchentoshan.com/