Douglas Laing recently presented a new series called Old Particular. It is said to contain particularly interesting whiskies, all bottled as single casks, without colouring and chill filtration.
No less than 21 expressions have been announced already, but they will arrive at different stages. Initial releases include Auchroisk 18 Years, Blair Athol 20 Years, Glen Scotia 21 Years, Glen Garioch 21 Years and Bowmore 25 Years (oh no!). A few older expressions coming up: Teaninch 30 Years, Port Ellen 31 Years and Glencadam 35 Years.
There’s a specific choice when it comes to alcohol strengths. Some rarities will be bottled at natural strength. Whiskies aged 19 years or more are bottled at 51,5% and everything up to 18 years at 48,4%. The idea is that older whiskies become more mellow over time so they often benefit from a little more oomph.
This Auchentoshan 1997 was bottled from a refill hogshead in August 2013 and should arrive in stores pretty soon.
Auchentoshan 15 yo 1997
(48,4%, Douglas Laing Old Particular, refill hogshead, 336 btl.)
Auchentoshan 15 yo 1997Nose: starts on typical lemon sherbet and grapefruit – rather zesty fruits with a mineral, chalky edge. Tiny hints of vanilla. Wine gums. Some grainy biscuits. Also notes that keep the middle between flowers and grasses. A fresh Lowlands style.
Mouth: quite spicy now, even a little fizzy at first. A big peppery kick and a malty centre. Very citrusy again, with a little apple and banana. Some greenish oak. Again faint vanilla, but it’s certainly not one of these modern vanilla whiskies. Crushed coriander seeds?
Finish: medium long, all on pepper and citrus zest.
This is a citrusy Auchentoshan, not too sweet and definitely spicier than most officials. More than alright. Around € 60.
Score: 85/100