Auchentoshan 21 [MYSTERY]

Thank you to /u/scotchable for this mystery sample

Mysteries: I’m bad at them, and can’t guess a damn. However I always do them when I receive them, otherwise we’re all going to forget it and waste whisky. No one wants that.

Also, spoiler: Got this one wrong, even though I’ve had it before. Been a few years. So feel free to compare back to my previous review and note the similarities.

Let’s get down to it.

Price: N/A at the LCBO

Region: Lowland

Abv: 43%

Colour: 5Y 8/6

Nose: Maple wood, smoke, grapefruit, lime juice, baked beans

Interesting strong notes on this one. It’s quite strong. Lots of maple, molasses notes. Some smoke, some acidic notes. Jumps between grapefruit and lime juice quite a bit, with some meatiness.

Taste: Lime, bacon, grape, brine, corn

And it falls down on the taste. You have smoke and maple and beans that go to a simpler earth. The smoke has some bacon, but doesn’t really go beyond that. It’s quite light on the taste.

Normally the thing I like about Lowlands is they have floral elements mixed with fruit. This, on the other hand, has fruity elements on the nose with very little to back it up.

Finish: Bacon, hard candy, cinnamon & cloves, lime peel, pecan/vegetal

More smoke, some more spice, but quite limited. Each of the above takes a long time to pick apart.

Conclusion: I enjoy Lowlands and feel more people should drink them. I also am a big fan of Auchentoshan, and have reviewed quite a few of their offerings.

My issue with Auchentoshan, specifically, is that it needs to have some strength to it. I think there’s something interesting that this dram could be. I like the smoke elements. I find it interesting overall.

However the low alcohol makes the taste weak. The finish has some possibilities, and I certainly enjoyed it a little more this time, it was hard to pick things out.

I really thought this was a peated whisky. Even guessed it was cask strength due to the nose. Was completely wrong, but wish they would consider a 46% option in the future.

82/100

Guess: Benriach Cask Strength Batch 1, because I’m lost. That said, wouldn’t be surprised if it was the Workshop whisky, as I know nothing about it

Actually: Auchentoshan 21

Scotch review #708, Lowland review #35, Whisky Network review #1173