Auchentoshan 24 Year Old 1998 Asta Morris

Hurrah! Asta Morris has just launched a new whisky in the Heritage reeks, the one with the blue labels, specially reserved for beautiful single casks at a certain age. And this time it's a 24-year-old Auchentoshan. You understand my joy. I was of course very quick to order and even popped it open the same day, that's how enthusiastic I was. If Crazy Bert chooses a Toshan, then I know it's going to be good. This is not his first rodeo. In 2016 he also bottled an Auchentoshan. Then it was a sherry hogshead. This time it is a former bourbon cask. Let’s taste!

Oh, that nose is special. And very fascinating! A quasi-tropical Toshan on Reine Claude, marshmallows, meringue, coconut and bananas. Popcorn! Cane sugar! The typical floral touch is all the way in the background, as is a soft hint of citrus fruit. Nice trace of wood, too. Reminiscent of the Auchentoshan from the Swinging Seventies.

Deliciously creamy and nicely seasoned. The coconut and plums return immediately but are wrapped in a nice spicy jacket. Bot, that was a good cask indeed! Woodsmoke that is almost reminiscent of peat. Which it is not, obviously. The balance achieved here is heavenly. Nice and fruity. Citrus – both lime and mandarin – rears its head in midpalate and cloves and honey appear. And yes, very old school.

The finish is nice and long, deliciously fruity and warm. And almost tropical.

Boy oh boy, how nice! It exceeds even my wildest expectations. But yes, Crazy Bert knows his craft. Gonna order me a box of these!

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