Auchentoshan 23 y.o. Whisky-Fässle 1990 – 2014, Hogshead 6850, 47,7% (joint bottling with Whiskybase)

Comment: To begin with, this one needs water to unfold (essential). It noses rather untypical, more mature but also a little flat (less lemony, few head aromas). I am getting marshmallow, mushroom, almonds, grapefruit, orange zest, chicory, creamy sweetness and discrete wood. The taste is sharper than expected, fennel, bitter almond, licorice, grass and lemon dash, a malty sweetness, nuts and vanilla cream come out with water. The finish turns a little bitter and woody. Not my personal style, but water does magic here.

Score: 85-

Auchentoshan 21 y.o. Whisky-Fässle for Malt Monkey 1992 – 2014, 51,1%

Comment: I prefer this on over the other as it reveals lemon freshness right from the start. We also get dried flowers, heather, grapefruit, orange zest, pollen, green peppercorns, licorice and old weathered oak. On the palate it dances between bitter elements (wood) and lemon sourness (great acidity) plus malt and vanilla cream. It finishes on grass and the mentioned aromas.

Score: 86+

Speyside Region 2008 – 2014 Whisky-Fässle, Sherry Cask, 46,9%

Comment: Aromatic flowery start with hay, dried flowers, malt, licorice, apple, peach, quince, charcoal, window cleaner and pizzeria smells (wet sour dough, oregano, tomato). It tastes malty sweet with hints of licorice and bitter oak. H2O doesn’t change it, only dilution happens. However, a good one for its age.

Score: 82

Clynelish 1995 – 2014 Whisky-Fässle, Hogshead, 52,7%

Comment: An absolute classic version (candle wax, apple, ozone of upcoming storm, quince, apricots) but more on the smoky side with lemon freshness, really deep and intense. It tastes typical with no offnote, pronounced mashmallow and incense aromas add complexity. Long finish, all very balanced, a good dram. Recommended.

Score: 87+