Auchentoshan American Oak

With a slight sense of trepidation tinged with a little nostalgia, I uncorked this bottle of Auchentoshan's American Oak whisky — a spirit that had been a steadfast companion during my early forays into the world of whisky. In those days, it was the epitome of convenience and affordability, readily available when options were limited (especially given my budget!). Returning to it now, after many years, I couldn't help but wonder if it would still hold the same allure as it once did.

Bottle

Auchentoshan's bottles are characterised by their understated elegance—a utilitarian design that speaks more to the distillery's commitment to bar trade than history. This bottle would just as at home holding gin or vodka as it would whisky. While not flashy or ostentatious, the embossing on the bottle serves as a subtle nod to Auchentoshan's uncommon triple distillation process; this does add a little character to the bottle.

Colour

The whisky presents a pale amber hue, attributed to its maturation in American bourbon casks. This relatively pale colour along with the addition of colouring hints at its relatively young age—a characteristic that becomes apparent upon closer inspection.

Nose - Extremely gentle on the nose, Auchentoshan’s American Oak is mild and, surprisingly, not that oak-y. There is a soft sweetness of vanilla and just a hint of toffee. It is by no means an offensive aroma but there is little to get excited about.

Palate - The flavour mirrors the simplicity of the nose, with a gentle sweetness that unfolds into creamy cereal notes. While hints of coconut and citrus add some complexity, they remain subdued, allowing the whisky's inherent sweetness to take centre stage. With time, a subtle oak-y spice emerges, adding depth to the tasting experience.

Finish - The medium to short finish fades gracefully, with citrus notes softening to a lingering hint of grapefruit — a gentle conclusion to this mild spirit.

Overall

So, am I disappointed in myself for drinking so much of this whisky when I was younger? No, not really - clearly it doesn’t stack up against the big names of Scottish whisky, but this is also likely due to the difference in age. This is a pretty in-offensive whisky, there isn’t a lot to dislike about it. However, there isn’t a huge amount to like about it either. At the time of writing this was priced at around £27 but I had picked up my bottle only a couple of months earlier for around £23; at this price it makes an excellent choice as a base for cocktails or maybe just a simple, uncomplicated dram. While it may not boast the complexity of older, more revered whiskies, Auchentoshan's American Oak remains a reliable companion for those embarking on their whisky journey.

Available from Master of Malt for around £27, or check price and availability at Amazon