Auchentoshan 12 Year Old

Color: light copper.

Nose: airy and floral, with a tang of orange zest and the faintest whisper of Tiramisu sweetness in the background. A little water brings forth some maltiness. Lovely, but a little light-weight.

Body: light and smooth.

Palate: citrusy with hints of coffee and cocoa complexity. That's about it, but it's delicious.

Finish: root-beer and chocolate-covered peanuts. Short, but again, quite pleasant. Maybe a bit more satisfying than the Three Wood?

The Auchentoshan Three Wood has been a personal favorite for a while -- not necessarily a top-rated whisky, but a very solid performer. While this 12-year is significantly less complex than the TW, at $25 cheaper, it gets the job done and satisfies all the while. In a blind taste test of 5 whiskies with friends, this ranked third, well ahead of two far more expensive bottles. I really don't think you can go wrong with a bottle of this in your collection. It's a great inexpensive dram to share with friends.

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