Auchentoshan 13 Year Old Single Malt - Artist Collective 2007

When we discover this distilled version for the first time in 2007, one thing emerges: the refining in sherry casks fits like a glove to this emblematic single malt from the Lowlands region. Better yet, its very nuanced and wonderfully fruity aromatic and taste palette is enriched with gourmet and spicy notes as well as superb autumnal hues which further highlight its deeply malty character.

TASTING NOTE
Color: mahogany. Nose: fine, smooth. Unveiling a very nice fruity rancio (apricot, orange, tangerine), slightly burnt and waxy, the first nose evolves on intense notes of black fruits (blackberry, blueberry, blackcurrant, cherry). After aeration, the malted barley takes up the background of the aromatic palette. Gradually, superb notes of toffee, pastry (Paris-Brest) and dried fruits (fig, date) take center stage.

Palate: both lively and balanced. Perfect synthesis of the aromatic palette, the attack on the palate is marked by notes of apricot, salted butter caramel, crushed malted barley and precious woods. On the mid-palate, flavors of prune, toasted walnuts, dark chocolate, liquorice and dry leaves diffuse autumnal tones of the most beautiful effect. This is accentuated a little more by an aftertaste made up of new dried fruits (chestnut, chestnut).

Overall: long, mellow. Gourmet, the start of the final invites us to savor a delicious chocolate fondant. Then, sweet spices (cinnamon, ginger) ensure a slender and powdery transition towards a finish marked by woody notes of a beautiful essence (chestnut, oak, walnut). The retro-olfaction evokes a walnut cake and the empty glass emanates aromas of apricot and bitter orange.