Another Toshan today, this time a very limited, and very unique one. This bottling was released in 2008 , as a duty free only edition (or distillery shop exclusive) , with an outrun of 1800 bottles only.Calling it a wine finish is really not so accurate, as it spent 8 years in ex-bourbon casks, and another 12 years!!! in Saint-Julien Bordeaux casks. So it’s more of a double maturation than a finish…
Bottled at 52,4% ABV and costing around 150 EUR at the time, I was very fortunate to have gotten this sample.
Auchentoshan Bordeaux finish 1988, 20 yo , 52,4% ABV
Lovely color on this whisky, and not surprising after a long wine cask maturation : Deep golden copper. 
Nose : wine-y and tannins galore. With orange marmalade , ginger , almost meaty and a bit vinegary. Massive wine. Used Matches and moist soil.
Palate: spicy and very winey on the entry. Bouillon, sultanas and again that thick jam. Plums and prunes. Pepper cinnamon and butter wood.
Finish : pepper, fortified wine and spices. Sprinkle a bit if cocoa powder.
A very rewarding dram, that can benefit from a bit of water, but can also be drunk neat, and savored. A great after dinner dram, for the wee hours.
Score : 85/100
Many thanks for the Toshan man Mark Dermul for the sample
Gal, the pleasure is all mine, sir. I’m always happy to share Auchentoshan if that means people can give it a go and spread the word!
🙂
I have only purchased a few here in the States. I did enjoy the triple wood a lot. 🙂