Auchentoshan 22 Year Old 1990 A.D. Rattray

I first discovered this new Auchentoshan from A.D. Rattray at a festival for independent bottlers, last May. Naturally I brought home a sample. I am, after all, the Toshan Man.

The nose is fresh, sweet and a bit herbal. Peach and pineapple on syrup, dried grass and icing sugar. Hint of butter. Slowly but surely evolves towards citrus. Tinned mandarin. Vanilla and sweet malt. Spring in your glass! With water, the herbal side is more pronounced with even a hint of wet earth.

The attack is powerful (for a Lowland). Quite some white pepper. Pretty creamy too. Citrus and white fruit (mostly pears) on the palate. Zesty. The dry grass returns. Pleasant prickle. Adding water brings out a hint of kinine or even aspirin, which I do not experience as an advantage.

The finish is medium long and sweet.

Classy aperitif. A nice Auchentoshan that brings the sun into your glass. But I do not recommend adding water. Around 80 EUR.

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