Auchentoshan “The Bartender’s Malt” Scotch Review
If you’re not a Scotch fan because things like peat or band-aid qualities turn you off, you really should consider a Lowland Scotch. There aren’t a lot of Lowland distilleries, and in my opinion, Auchentoshan does a consistent job of representing the region.
BOTTLE DETAILS
- DISTILLER: Auchentoshan Distillery
- MASH BILL: 100% Malted Barley
- AGE: NAS
- YEAR: 2019
- PROOF: 47% ABV
- MSRP: $49.95
- BUY ONLINE: Wine-Searcher.com
JEFF'S NOTES
NOSE: Honey | Dried Fruits | Light Vanilla | Chocolate
TASTE: Citrus | Cereal | Nutmeg | Ginger Beer
FINISH: Long, sweet and slightly smoky with black pepper.
SHARE WITH: Anyone who enjoys Lowland Scotches.
WORTH THE PRICE: Absolutely.
BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: At this price, I'd buy a Bottle all day long.
OVERALL: If you're not a Scotch fan because things like peat or band-aid qualities turn you off, you really should consider a Lowland Scotch. There aren't a lot of Lowland distilleries, and in my opinion, Auchentoshan does a consistent job of representing the region.
The Bartender's Malt is the first of a proposed series of limited edition Scotches for the distillery. In this initial offering, twelve bartenders from around the world collaborated to create a whisky by the bartender for the bartender. The idea behind this is to give bartenders a Scotch that could be served neat or made into various cocktails. I chose to test this whisky neat.
The Bartender's Malt is non-chill filtered and retains its natural color. That's important to know because distilleries are allowed to artificially color their whiskies to make them appear more appetizing. That shouldn't be an issue with this Single Malt, as the brassy and gold color is inviting enough.
The mouthfeel was thick and coated my entire palate. One of the most unusual aspects of the palate was a ginger beer quality on the back. I can't say that I've ever experienced that, but it was spicy, sweet and smoky without being peaty.
The Bartender's Malt isn't going to blow your socks off, but it is unusual, interesting and very affordable. I enjoyed the heck out of it and it is a very easy Bottle recommendation.
BRAND NOTES
The Bartender׳s Malt is a bespoke collaboration of whiskies selected by 12 of the most innovative bartenders in the world. The malt ranges from 5 different decades, matured in a diverse range of oaks including American and European, as well as a variety of sherry casks, red wine barriques and German Oak.
This bespoke single malt whisky was created in collaboration with Auchentoshan׳s New Malt Order 2016 - a group of bartenders who have a unique approach to drinks and bartending. Every year we select 12 new members to join the New Malt Order and they spend a week with us at our home in Glasgow, learning from our Master Blender how to create a one-of-a-kind liquid: The Bartender׳s Malt.