Auchentoshan Heartwood

Nose: sweet, caramel, toffee, malt, toasted grains, wine notes, vermouth, vanilla, dried fruits (dates and figs), buttery, light woodiness, spice reminiscent of nutmeg, citrus fruitiness like orange marmalade, a little alcohol and slight pepperiness. A subtle sourness can be detected underneath, but very faintly. It has good complexity, but nothing extraordinary. The aroma is "different," almost peculiar, yet pleasant. More interesting on the nose than its sibling Springwood. Palate: sweet, light, low oiliness, spicy, warming (the alcohol is quite present), light woodiness, toffee, caramel, dates, and other dried fruits. The palate matches the nose, but the vermouth, bitter, and toasted notes are more pungent. It has a pleasant flavor, but the alcohol is a bit bothersome. Finish: short, with noticeable sweet residue and a more evident wine aftertaste. Overall impressions: good value for money, but nothing spectacular. It's better than Springwood, though Springwood is very simple. For those who enjoy light whiskies and are accustomed to blends, this could be a good alternative. It can be enjoyed neat, with water, ice, or in your preferred cocktails.

I enjoyed the 3 wood for its smoothness and subtle caramel and spice, but Duty-Free tried to sell me Heartwood as the same. Absolutely not. This is made for airports, it burns the tongue and lacks good flavor. You can detect the old, stale, reused casks they use for this cheap export. Be careful.

Nose: Cooked rhubarb and pears, linseed oil, and mahogany. Taste: Robust wood character, cigar box, nutmeg, pear, orange zest, a subtle phenolic note. Mid-palate: Starts light, builds to a strong presence, and lingers for a considerable time.

A pleasant mouthfeel, albeit slightly sharp, with a very toffee-like flavor. Almost mildly sweet. Acceptable for the price, and better over ice.

Smell: nice vanilla. Taste: lots of woody spice. Finish: some of the pleasant vanilla from the smell, combined with spice.

Not too shabby. Very sweet and quite mild. A good choice for after dinner. I'd drink it if offered, but wouldn't buy it.