Auchentoshan 15 Year Old 1999 Cadenhead Small Batch

Cadenhead only just launched their new Auchentoshan, a great 23 Year Old from 1992, but we still have the previous release to taste, which was launched in January 2015. This 15 Year Old Auchentoshan from 1999 is a vatting of several bourbon casks, which allowed for a release of 504 bottles at cask strength.

The nose needs time. And hand warmth. Your patience is then rewarded with some vanilla, candied oranges, flowery honoey and even some blueberries. But unfortunately there is also a stinky side that I can only describe as sweet and sour (and that is being police). Trampled nettles and dandelions. Hint of varnish and rotting wood. Salted peanuts. Water from a vase in which flowers have already wilted. Wet clay. No, this is not my cup of tea. And water does nothing to save it.

It is honeysweet as it arrivas on the palate. And quite powerful. Hot, actually. Lemon lemonade! Barley sugar, lime, lemongrass. The offnotes from the nose are not to be found on the palate – thank the Maker! But it is oh, so sweet. My teeth almost drop out of my jaw! It it is no different diluted, only less hot (doh!). Or is it? Nope, it is sweeter still.

The finish is rather short, on lemon and pepper with a touch of oak.

The nose could not even convince me after thirty minutes – on the contrary – but on the palate it is somewhat okay. Having said that, this is a very ordinairy Toshan that does not inspire. Cadenhead has bottled better, much better.

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