Auchentoshan 16 Year Old 1974 SMWS 5.5

Now that is a Golden Oldie from my beloved Lowlander. Distilled in 1974 – I was four! – and bottled in the year I turned 21. It was the 5th single cask of Auchentoshan bottled by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society and bottled at a whopping 56.3% ABV.

Surprisingly old school with lots of floral notes, silver polish, gooseberries and freshly baked bread with brown sugar. Just a hint of citrus. Heathery flowers, hay. This is quite different from what Auchentoshan offers on the nose today, but having said that, this is very, very good!

It is oily and sweet, with just a tad of spices, although that increases quickly. Now I get mostly the typical citrusy notes and Granny Smith apple, but also that undefined note that makes it taste old (in the sense of distilled long ago, not in years of maturation). Hard to pinpoint, but very pleasant. Floral and herbal too. Hay, grass, ferns. Grand.

The finish is pleasantly long, with a metallic tang. Like licking a metal plate. I know, I know… I call ‘m as I taste ‘m.

Outstanding Auchentoshan! A big thank you to my buddy and colleague Enrico, who offered me a sample of his last bottle! If anyone knows where to find one, get in touch!

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