Auchentoshan 1988 25 Year Wine Cask Finish

I picked up this very mature Auchentoshan from an online shop based in St. Louis, MO a couple of years ago. It's the 1988 Wine Cask Finish, which also happens to be a 25 year old. It was initially aged for 8 years in ex-bourbon casks, then moved to first-fill Bordeaux wine barriques for an additional 17 years. It presents a lovely red-gold hue in the glass, creating thin, fast-moving legs. It was bottled at 47.6% ABV and cost me $325. The aroma offered a pleasant mix of sweet and floral notes. I detected red berries and grape sweetness, alongside some delicate floral and grassy scents that emerged after some time in the glass. A very subtle hint of charred oak was also present. The taste was rich and exceptionally smooth, while still allowing the characteristic sweet, Lowland-style flavors to remain noticeable. These eventually took a backseat to the red wine character and a slight warmth from the higher alcohol content. A dryness appeared toward the end of the sip but did not negatively impact the creamy, sweet mouthfeel. The finish was gentle yet extended. The dryness often associated with Bordeaux-finished spirits was notably absent, and this one felt light but indulgent. The warmth from the alcohol lingered, ultimately making this a bottle I frequently enjoyed until it was gone. In summary, this is the finest Auchentoshan I have ever tasted, which is understandable given the extended finishing time and overall age. The most surprising aspect was how well the distillery's signature profile was preserved despite the wine cask influence. The light texture and delicate, floral notes remained prominent throughout the experience. This speaks to the quality of the casks and the excellent base spirit. Does it justify the price? Likely not, but if you appreciate Auchentoshan or Lowland whiskies, you should definitely sample this one. It is clearly among their best. Excluding the price, it's a 4.5-star malt; the exorbitant cost slightly diminishes it but not enough to drop it below 4.25. The skillful execution compels me to keep it at 4.5 stars. Cheers to you all.

This was provided by a friend, a generous sample size, of which I consumed half this evening. The aroma is captivating. It evokes musty red wine cellars. Years ago, I visited Argentina and stayed at a vineyard, experiencing rural life with cowboys by day and enjoying red wine by night. The lodging had a similar musty, earthy red wine scent, akin to old soil combined with Malbec grapes. This brings back those memories; it's simply magnificent. While I typically don't associate the distillery with excellence, this bottling was a pleasant surprise. The palate is a slight downgrade from the nose, leaning more towards mustiness than red wine, but I'm being overly critical. Considering its time in red wine casks, I'm amazed the tannins aren't more pronounced. Exceptionally and sinfully well crafted. Who would have thought a light Lowlander could complement a robust red? And more importantly, why isn't this distillery producing more like it?!

This sample was likely not the best introduction to an Auchentoshan for me, given its significant cask influence, but on its own, it was impressive. It has a chestnut brown color. The aroma is primarily of grape must initially, gradually revealing dark chocolate and an unexpected hint of mint and grass. These flavors continue on the palate, supported by a distinct malty base that defines the spirit. Chewing it releases a burst of oak spice, and the finish is very long and dry. Overall, it's very smooth and well-balanced, improving with each sip. While I can't comment on how representative it is of the distillery, it certainly succeeds as a wine cask finish. Thanks to my friend!

Coats the mouth with fruitiness. Very oily. Also somewhat grainy.