Auchentoshan Single Malt Scotch – Around $32.00 for the Entry Level “Classic”
Originally Published 3/26/2010
Y’know what a lot of us hate about Scotch? It tastes like the inside of an old wet barrel. Gin has notes of citrus and Vodka is clean. Even Rum has some recognizable spice to it. Scotch can sometimes taste like burned cardboard.
Which I guess is actually how a lot of good Scotch will taste to an admittedly untrained palate like mine.
But this Scotch, is still good Scotch, (Or so I’m told by Esquire and this Scotch Fanatic) yet it tastes surprisingly sweet. There’s that familiar warmness which will hit your throat, but it’s smooth enough that letting even one ice cube melt in it would seem like a mistake. Even some hardened Scotch drinkers, who swear by that peat and smoky stuff, have reluctantly said that yes, Auchentoshan is absolutely one of their favorites.
Beautiful in color, layered in detail, and still has an accessible taste, it’s a terrific Scotch for both Scotch-connoisseurs and rookies to sit down with. Perfect for an afternoon or evening when you want a long slow drink.
The year and region will affect the taste. The longer it ages, the harsher it tends to get. Water sources will also affect the taste.
Clearly you have tasted the scotch that comes in plastic bottles, or crappy blended scotches like Dewars. Stick to single-malt scotches, please.
$20 for a 12 year Glenlivet and you will be pleased.
Scotch is arguably more accessible than Gin, so clearly you’ve only had crappy scotch.
Clearly you use “clearly” too much 🙂
i haven’t tried this one, though i can highly recommendt he following:
blend: johnny walker black (though not a single mant blend)
single malt without peat: the macallan 12Y fine oak
a bit peaty: highland park 12
Glenfiddich is a bit alcohol-y to me and i dont tend to like the “peat monsters”
@Steven Kippel – $20 for a 12yr Glenlivet? I’d like to know where you buy your scotch.
@Travis – So he was off by a couple of dollars, it usually costs me $25 at Bevmo. I have taken to keeping a bottle 16-18 year old Lagavulin around for when my older relatives show up. Still not a huge scotch fan, but I find that stuff quite palatable, if a bit pricey.
I agree with Thomas, the Johnny Black (its the original recipe) and Macallan 12 are quite good, I’ve had my fair share of both. For a really interesting flavored single malt that is absolutely fantastic in my humble opinion try Laphroaig 10Y.
I tend to drink The Glenrothes as that is what my father inlaw introduced me to. Man that is some good stuff. I also enjoy Johnny Walker on occasion.
Macallan & Balvenie! Great scotch. Though for a price, for sure.
There are plenty of good blended Scotches – check out brands like Compass Box, Warenchem, and Lost Distilleries.
Clearly you don’t know much about Scotch if you only limit yourself to single-malts. It means you have all the fervor of a recent convert without the knowledge or experience.