Auchentoshan Virgin Oak Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Situated at the foot of the Kilpatrick Hills in Western Scotland, Auchentoshan (pronounced Aw-khen-tosh-an) Distillery was founded in 1800 and is one of the last remaining Lowland Single Malt Whisky distilleries. The distillery is nicknamed "Glasgows Distillery"due to its proximity to the eponymous city, and its whisky is nicknamed "breakfast whisky"due to its sweet flavor and elegant texture. During World War II, the distillery was bombed relentlessly by Germany, and much of the whisky that was being matured in its rickhouses was lost to fire or spilled into the Clyde River, which is situated adjacent to the distillery. Following the end of the war, the distillery was rebuilt and today, it remains a testament to Scottish perseverance and innovation.Auchentoshan Single Malt Scotch Whisky is made from malted, optic barley that is gently kilned and completely unpeated. Once the barley has been malted, it is milled and mashed before being fermented in wooden washbacks made from Oregon Pine. While wooden washbacks are more expensive and difficult to maintain as compared to stainless steel washbacks, they retain a portion of the heat produced during fermentation, and ultimately produce a lighter and slightly sweeter whisky.Following fermentation, the whisky is distilled through Auchentoshans copper pot stills. While Scotch whisky is traditionally distilled twice, Auchentoshan Single Malt Scotch is distilled three times: first through a wash still, then through an intermediate still, and finally, through a spirit still. This extra distillation step no other major Scotch distillery uses an intermediate still produces a purer and more refined spirit that dramatically affects the character of the whisky produced.Auchentoshan Virgin Oak Single Malt Scotch Whisky is matured exclusively in newly charred casks crafted from North American oak. While Scotch has traditionally been matured in used sherry, port and bourbon casks, the use of new oak casks to finish whisky is another weapon in a distillerys arsenal and allows the whisky to enjoy the sweeter and more complex flavors of virgin wood. Following maturation, the whisky is bottled without the use of chill filtration or artificial coloring.The whisky has an aroma of banana custard, creamy vanilla and caramel apples. The aroma gives way to notes of spiced fruits (particularly kiwi, oranges and apples) on the palate, and ends with a touch of spiced pears.Only 2,100 bottles of this Scotch whisky are available in the United States. Pick up a bottle of Scotch whose name no one can pronounce today!