Auchentoshan Premium Octave 1999 21 year old - Duncan Taylor - 54.1%
From the Spirits Embassy website
The Auchentoshan 1999 Premium Octave cask #3530863 has aged for 21 years in oak casks then spent the final months in an octave cask. This is a limited release of only 90 bottles. This is a single cask, bottled at cask strength, not chill-filtered or coloured.
For many years, Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Limited has experimented in the use of differing cask sizes for the maturation of single malt and single grain scotch whiskies. This research stemmed from the simple premise that there is more interaction between the wood and spirit over a shorter period of time in a small cask than in a large cask, allowing a faster melding of wood, air and alcohol. The spirit in this bottle is an exclusive example of good whisky taken beyond all expectations to become rich, complex and wise beyond its years; it has been 'Octave Invigorated'
Tasting Notes:
Appearance: Amber gold, forms a thin line which beads before falling as slow, thin legs.
Nose: Chocolate enrobed orange peel, orchard fruit, caramel toffee, tobacco leaf, new leather car seats, cinnamon and, with time in the glass, ginger beer.
Palate: Thick, chewy mouthfeel, Terry’s dark chocolate orange, dried fruit, candied peel and tobacco leaf. Addition of water brings a little more fruit but tends to flatten the dram.
Finish: Shorter than expected. More of the dried fruit notes from the palate, together with fresh pencil shavings, hints of cinnamon and ginger warmth.
Summary: It would be safe to say I’ve been really disappointed by the core Auchentoshan offerings in recent years, and this whisky highlights what could be done with the spirit if given the chance. Plenty of body, lovely chocolate orange notes accompanied by dried fruit and citrus, with a little tobacco adding a savoury dimension. The only, but highly significant, disappointment is the finish which falls away far too quickly. Just as you’re starting to fully delve into the dram and explore it, it’s gone.
With a price tag just over £340 this is very much at the premium end of the market. It’s a solid, very decent whisky but for me that lack of a memorable finish means it’s very difficult to say it lives up to the price point.
If you would like to know more about the Auchentoshan distillery and their range of whiskies, follow the link to the company website.
Transparency: This sample was part of a 5 dram sample set, purchased from The Spirits Embassy. No goods or other incentives were exchanged, offered or requested for this independent review.
