Auchentoshan 12 Year

I’ve been making a good effort to complete the core ranges of some of the “second tier” of Scottish distilleries—and I mean that purely in terms of distribution, not quality. I knocked out all the largest ones years ago, but now I’m moving through the Glengoynes, the BenRiachs,and now, Auchentoshan—starting with this 12 year old. For reference, this is the old packaging, so it was bottled 5-10 years ago. Nose: Dried apricot and golden raisin. Cranberry/craisin. Vanilla and toffee. Pecan and almond. Very jammy. Strawberry and blackberry. Honeydew. Black pepper and cinnamon. Oak. Irish soda bread. Palate: Vanilla, toffee, and malt. Toasted almond. More of the dried apricot and golden raisin. Honeydew and cantaloupe. Orange citrus. Macadamia. Cereal grain. A funnel cake note. Some green grape. Finish: Vanilla, toffee, and shortbread cookie. Apple and apricot. Golden raisin. Straw/hay. Clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and white pepper. Oak and sawdust. Moderate length. This is a fun whisky. Fairly standard Lowland profile. Lots dry fruit and nuts. Almost like a liquid trail mix. And it’s clean and crisp. It’s the only age-stated Auchentoshan I’ve had to date, and that little extra time in the barrel is detectable. This is a great starter whiskey to get a friend acclimated to the genre. It’s easy going, but there’s enough going on here to make this one distinct and memorable. Of the three core range expressions I’ve tried from Auchentoshan, I think this is my favorite. At $51, this is easily worth the price of entry. 3.75/5.

Finally time to start cracking into some unopened bottles in the collection before my wife starts counting them. Single malt showdown: Auchentoshan 12, Cragganmore 12 and Nikka Miyagikyo. All tasted in glen cairn glass and rested for about 30 minutes. Let's Auch with the doc: Nose: Fruity, cherries, raisins and a hint of smoke. When I first poured the nose was muddled but it's flipped completely to something very inviting. Palate: Slightly oily, sweet and exactly what the nose was telling it would be. Stone fruits, a bit of sherry and a wisp of smoke to remind you that this is Scotch and not Irish. Finish: Medium length and warm. Things really develop at this point from apple/pear to musty grapes. Dries up at the end. I have to say, I kind of thought I would hate this when i first cracked the bottle, but letting it breathe a bit changed everything. Guess I'll have to go to the Lowlands now too if I ever make it to the land of Robert the Bruce. Final results of the showdown: 1st place: Miyagikyo 2nd place: Auchentoshan 12 3rd place: Cragganmore 12

Auchentoshan 12 Years is a triple-distilled single malt from the Lowlands of Scotland, known for its light and approachable profile. On the nose, it offers subtle notes of vanilla, honey, and a touch of citrus, which are pleasant but not particularly complex. The palate is smooth and easy-drinking, with flavors of caramel, toasted almonds, and a hint of green apple. However, it lacks depth and character, coming across as somewhat one-dimensional and, frankly, quite boring. The finish is short and unremarkable, leaving little to linger or savor. While Auchentoshan 12 is a decent entry-level whisky for those new to single malts, it fails to excite or leave a lasting impression. Its simplicity and lack of boldness make it a forgettable dram in a crowded market. 3.5 from 5

Uninspiring, sanitized and anemic - many whisky drinkers have given up on Auchentoshan, which is a shame. The nose of this triple distilled Lowlander is light, floral and almost Irish in style, featuring mild citrus fruits, porridge and hazelnuts. After the gentle and slightly thin arrival, the palate evolves with some sherry notes, lemongrass and soft tannins. It has no edges but everything is dialed down and lacks flavor. Cereals, mint and fading caramel mark the clean, fresh and semidry finish. I don't want to be too harsh, but there is a lot of wasted potential. RATING: 3.0/5.0 stars ≙ 79 pts → AVERAGE

The nose is vanilla sweetness backed by an oat-y quality, like fresh-harvested grain. The palate has a touch of fruit, and even a gentle spice, but it’s mainly just full-bodied sweetness that drops almost immediately. There’s no long finish, or significant burn. Its almost refreshing. Really solid whisky for the middle-ground palates. Bourbon drinkers and Scotch drinkers should both enjoy this. Also a good amount of flavor compared to other lowland whiskies.

Total Score : 2.88 [Eng] [Nose] - Floral scent. - Fruity sweetness with prune plum as the main scent. - Dry - No alcohal smells. [Palete] - Slightly salty. - Weak bitterness. - Woody and oak scent of bourbon. - Weak spiciness. - Light [Finish] - Woody scent. - Weak and brief lingering feeling. [Kor] [Nose] - 플로랄 - 프룬 자두를 메인으로 한 프루티한 달달함 - 드라이함 - 알콜향은 없음. [Palete] - 약간의 간 - 쓴맛 - 버번의 우디함과 오크향 - 약한 스파이시 - 가벼움 [Finish] - 우디한 향 - 잔향은 약하고 짧음.