Auchentoshan Solera

Wow, what a pleasant surprise. Let me preface this by saying that I've often been disappointed by Auchentoshan in the past, leading me to believe that 'no lowland is good whisky.' However, today marks a rebirth for me in the Lowland category, thanks to this outstanding dram, which reminded me of Glendronach. Auchentoshan Solera is a bottling priced around $160. It has undergone a finishing period in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks (I wasn't aware of this prior to tasting) and is bottled at 48% ABV. It possesses a truly beautiful deep copper color. On the nose, this whisky is as perfect as one could hope for: Matured blackberries, aged grapes, coffee, and refined toffee. A superb aroma, the best I've encountered from any Auchentoshan. Hints of lemon. A very, very subtle burnt grass note. The prune notes here are exceptional. Grapefruit. Everything evokes a sense of age: An old library, aged caramel; After the initial taste, notes of chocolate powder and milk chocolate erupt. This is magnificent. Almonds, Toblerone; Orange chocolate. A perfect score of 25 out of 25 here, and it deserves bonus points. On the palate, it's a touch watery but still delivers effectively. The sherry influence is evident. Oak spice is present. It strongly resembles GlenDronach 21 due to the pervasive chocolate and aged sherry characteristics. The finish brings the experience back to its zenith, with a slightly bitter, complex conclusion. Chocolate powder; some wonderfully pleasant spice, sawdust, and ginger. It feels very substantial. Clean tobacco notes. Overall, this is a spectacular whisky. It receives a score of 92 out of 100 solely because the palate is a bit too watery, but it certainly feels like it should be higher. If you have the opportunity to find it, seize it. Sláinte mhath!

Assumptions can be misleading. An expensive NAS Auchentoshan – this 'Solera' shouldn't be good! However, it is. Finished in PX casks and bottled at 48% ABV, the aroma of this Lowlander is delightful, complex, and multi-layered. Dark fruits, Christmas spices, and white chocolate blend harmoniously with rosewater, orange peel, and hints of thyme. On the palate, the flavors shift to stone fruits, mild pepper, and quality wood, with an herbal quality featuring mint, coffee, and walnuts emerging into the medium-length finish. I'm grateful to the 'Toshan Man' for suggesting this treat! RATING: 4.2/5.0 stars equivalent to 89 points → FIRST-CLASS [+]

It wasn't my preferred choice. The aroma was somewhat sharp, with notes of toffee, caramel, cinnamon, and oak detected.

Incredibly smooth with a subtle smoky finish.

Bottle emptied in April 2016

Silky texture