Review #: 52
Description: The Scotch Malt Whisky Society 5.70 “In the Absence of Convention”
Spirit: Scotch
Background: Another SMWS bottling, this being the 70th single cask from Auchentoshan, which is a Lowland distillery in Scotland. Probably the most available Lowland Scotch in terms of OB, it can get some flak for lack of complexity and flavor. This is my first taste of any of their whisky, and done pretty much fully blind. Aged 18 years and finished in a first-fill Oloroso Sherry hogshead, let’s see how I did.
Note: Reviews 43 – 46 and 50 – 53 were done as part of a series of semi-blind samples thanks to my Secret Santa. Please keep in mind that I did not know the specifics until after posting my notes. This was labeled “Convention” which I had no idea what it could relate to, so for all intents and purposes, this was a fully blind tasting.
Distillery – Auchentoshan
Bottler – Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Brand – Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Selection – Scotch Malt Whisky Society
ABV – 56.3%
Age – 18 Years
Nose – Heavy maple syrup and vanilla
Taste – Thick and creamy, very sweet at first with honey, caramel, toffee, and vanilla
Finish – Heat rises and malt comes in with cinnamon
Guess: ~50% this could either be some young American malt or some old scotch. No idea which. Maybe a rum cask finish? Really threw me off since the malt came in very late
Score: 6
Would I buy a bottle? Probably not
Thoughts: This was a hard one. I didn’t get too much influence from the Oloroso finish. It was nice and thick and syrupy. More dessert like but I didn’t get much fruit on it. I think this is a good example of an independent bottler finding a solid whisky from a distillery that may often be over looked. I know SMWS bottle typically carry a premium, and I’m not sure what the cost of this was which is why I’d hold off buying a bottle. I think there are better options around $100 but I was glad to be able to taste this.