Auchentoshan 20 Year Old 1990 AD Rattray

I previously tried an Auchentoshan on a sherry cask from this independent bottler and enjoyed that one very much. They also have a 20 Year Old Auchentoshan on bourbon cask. Let us see if that is enjoyable as well.

The nose is very aromatic and sweet on malt and citrus. Pancakes with honey! Farmers butter. Served with fresh Apple juice and rose petals on the side. With a bit of water, I am transported to a forest after a heavy shower. Light on pepper and a leaf of mint. This is a beautiful and complex nose that makes me happy.

It is piquant and very oily on the palate, but at the same time bittersweet on blood oranges and grapefruit. Turkish Delight and more mint, together with hazelnuts and oak. The oak becomes louder all the time. So much so, that it turns slightly bitter. Water turns up sme sugard lemon slices and keeps the oak at a safer distant. Great stuff.

The Turkish Delight lingers in the long finish, but the oak speaks the loudest. Luckily it never goes over the top. Water makes the finish somewhat more delicate and offers liquorice.

This is a wonderful and complex Auchentoshan, just the way I like it. And I appreciate it both with or without water. Thank you, Jurgen, for the sample, so I did not have to open the bottle in my collection.

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