Auchentoshan Distillery

One of the few distilleries operating in the Lowlands region of Scotland, Auchentoshan is sometimes known as ‘Glasgow’s Distillery’ due to its proximity to the city. It was founded in 1823 by John Bulloch, who sold it on Alexander Filshie that very same year. This was the first of six times that ownership of Auchentoshan would change hands up to 1994. At that point it was bought by Japanese brewing and distilling company Suntory, now Beam Suntory.

Bulloch built Auchentoshan at Dalmuir, Clydebank where it overlooks the river Clyde and the busy sea traffic that made Glasgow such an industrial city in the 19th century.

While many distilleries were affected by WWII, and the shortages that came with it, for Auchentoshan the hardship was more pointed. The distillery had the misfortune of being severely damaged by a German bombing raid in 1941. But this was far from a killing blow. In 1969 the distillery was bought by Eadie Cairns Ltd which rebuilt it extensively. The distillery was further renovated under Morrison Bowmore who became the owners in 1984.

Auchentoshan’s rarity goes beyond its status as a Lowland whisky. For a long time it was the only distillery practicing triple distillation of its spirits. Though a growing number of Scottish distilleries have started taking up this old practice again. This triple distillation has the effect of softening the end flavour for a smoother, light-bodied whisky.

Aside from its stills the distillery’s equipment consists of seven washbacks, a mixture of traditional Oregon pine and stainless steel, and a semi-lauter mash tun capable of holding 6.8 tons. The core range of single malts consists of 12, 18, and 21 year old bottlings that all share the signature smoothness of Auchentoshan. They’re joined by the American Oak, solely matured in American Bourbon casks and with aromas of vanilla and coconut. The Three Wood, matured first in casks of American Bourbon followed by Oloroso Sherry and Pedro Ximenez Sherry, completes the set.

Auchentoshan also has multiple Travel Retail exclusive Single Malts such as the Blood Oak and Noble Oak released in 2015. The Blood Oak takes its name from the second maturation in red wine casks that gives it a crimson hue and a rich spicy aftertaste.

The 24 year old Noble Oak was casked in the 90s and matured in Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry casks. Bottled at cask strength, it is more robust than the average Lowland single malt. The Heartwood and Springwood Single Malts add the call of nature to the Travel Range. Heartwood is characterised by rich fruit flavours and nuttiness, while Springwood has zesty aromas of citrus and vanilla, with a lively fruit palate.