Auchentoshan 21 Year Old 1973

The modern Auchentoshan 21 Year Old is een top whisky, but on my birthday I gladly put that one head to head with this older version, from 1973 (thus bottled in 1994). Today I will try it again. Not a hard thing to have to do.

The nose is a little dusty, revealing its long period in the bottle (almost as long as it has matured on a cask). Some lemon grass, hay, gooseberries and honey, immediately followed by a mildly tropical touch from apricots and pineapple. Woodsmoke, albeit light, but so beautiful. Soft honey and even a leaf of mint.

The arrival is somewhat light, but far from watery. The honey and mostly the mint return with a hint of chocolate and some chewing tobacco. Reminds me of Chewbacca. Orange zest. Mildly spiced.

On the long and warm finish, I again get spices in the shape of pepper and some oak.

While I prefer the nose of the modern version, on the palate, this one is a tad more complex. Nice!

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