Auchentoshan 15 Year Old 1998 Pearls of Scotland

Gordon & Company is a young independent bottler from Glasgow. They have only been around since 2013. They already have quite a range of single cask releases of single malt on the market under the label ‘The Pearls of Scotland’. These pears are bottled without chill filtration and coloring and at cask strength. This young Auchentoshan even has an alcoholpercentage of 61,1% ABV. Wow!

A strange sensation, I must admit, because the first whiff is not exactly alcoholic – despite the huge ABV – but even reminds me a bit of a struck match. That evaporates quickly to make room for sweet malt, almond paste and loads of honey. A touch floral. Also some violets – the purple hard candy, not the flowers. Somewhat atypical, but very interesting.

Ha, I had expected a kick in the teeth, but this one is – despite being very powerful – quite quaffable without water. Wonderfully sweet and nutty, malty and floral (without becoming perfumy, mind you). It is sweet and dry at the same time. Seems like a classic Toshan mixed with a liqueur of nuts. Amaretto?

The finish is surprisingly short – pity – but wonderfully sweet and dry. Now I do get the urge to sip some water.

What a lovely, exciting and atypical Auchentoshan. Around 80 to 110 EUR, depending on where you shop. Thanks, Michael!

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