Auchentoshan Bartender's Malt (Edition 2)

“Leave a Tender Moment Alone” 

Whisky Review # 1072

Country: Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
Region: Lowlands

Brand: Auchentoshan Bartender's Malt - Annual Limited Edition # 2

Type: Single Malt Whisky  
Age: NAS

Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 50%
Maturation: Mix of a/o Refill Ex-Bourbon Casks and Sherried Wood
Chill Filtration: No 
Price Range: US$ 70-90 (August 2025)

Price/Quality Ratio: 😑 Borderline okay at around US$ 70.
Buying Advice: 👎 Not interesting enough as a Single Malt. Sir Mix-a Lot might like it given the high ABV

Colour:

Dark Golden(Artificially Coloured)

Nose:

Relatively Young and Light. There's Fruit around both Sweet and Sour. Some of it is Fresh while another part is Dried. The Alcohol is there but stays within the limit. It's different from your average Scotch whisky. Almost like a mix of Irish Whiskey and a German Obstler. 

Main Aromas:

Sweet Barley, Vanilla, German Butter Biscuits, Grass & Straw, Orange, Dried Fruit like Apples and Plums, Banana Ice Cream, Slightly Sour Cherries, Cinnamon and Pepper.

Supportive Aroma Accents:

Caramel, Demerara Sugar, Butterscotch, Resin, Peach or Nectarine in Syrup, Oak, Caffe Latte, Milk Chocolate, Apricot Jam, Lemon, Nougat, Green Tobacco Leaves, Mint and light hints of Acetone and Burnt Herbs. 

 

Palate:

Again relatively Young. It's mostly the Fruit that stands out. It's mainly Bitter-Sweet with a few Sour notes as well. The Sweetness is slightly Artificial both on the Palate and later on in the Finish. I find it rather dull and boring. The Alcohol is more noticeable now. 

Main Flavours:

Sweet Barley, Vanilla, Mixed Dried Fruit and Nuts, slightly Sour Cherries, Seville-Orange, Caffe Latte, Banana Ice Cream, Pepper, Ginger and Cinnamon.        

Supportive Flavour Accents:

Honey, Caramel, Butter Biscuits, Mandarin in Syrup, Lemon, Milk Chocolate, Oak Char, Burnt Herbs and Green Wood, Acetone, Ginger, Mint, Nutmeg & Cardamom.      

Finish:

Middle-Long & mostly Bitter-Sweet. A few Sour notes as well. The Alcohol is more noticeable now and leaves the Finish a bit Harsh. Quite Dry in the end as well. I also find Sweet Barley, Toasted Grain, Honey, Vanilla, Caramel, Mixed Dried Fruit and Nuts, Seville-Orange, slightly Sour Berries, Lemon, Charred Oak, Banana Ice Cream, Mandarins in Syrup, Caffe Latte, Milk Chocolate, Pepper, Nutmeg and a hint of Acetone or Varnish and Raw Meat. 

Drinking Advice:

Added Water does not improve this Auchentoshan

Rating: 6.5 (******1/2)

Nose: 7 - Taste: 6.5 - Finish: 6 

*** Important Note with respect to Rating.

If the Final score is around 8 you can safely buy the whisky in question if and when it fits your Aroma/Flavor profile. If the score is between 6 and 8 you might want to try it out in the form of a sample or if offered at a good price. Anything below 6 should be left alone when you are looking for a nice sipping whisky. You might still like it of course & I realize pricing is an important item for many whisky fans especially when you are used to enjoy whisky in a cocktail or a mixed drink.

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay

Conclusion:

The Auchentoshan distillery was founded in 1823 by John Bulloch and is located in Dalmuir, close to Glasgow. It exchanged hands various times before being bought by Morrison (Bowmore) in 1984. Morrison was bought by Suntory from Japan in 1994. From then on the distillery has become very popular again. It's one of the few remaining Lowland distilleries and it's the only Scottish one that maintains triple distillation. The core range includes American Oak, 12 Years, Three Woods, 18 Years, 21 Years and 24 Years. The annual production amounts to 2.2 million litres.

The Bartender's Malt is a New Malt Order contest whereby 12 bartenders from five different countries selected the malt. The youngest in the mix is 6 years and the oldest more than 40. A whole range of casks from five different decades was used that might include the above mentioned Ex-Bourbon casks & Sherried Wood but also some Red Wine and German Oak casks.

Bartenders are used to mixing drinks and as such the high ABV and the Fruit of this Auchentoshan might appeal to them. As a Single Malt however I find I to be rather dull and also a bit too expensive for what it offers. It is said that there are some old Malts in this mix as well but the young sharp Spirit leads the way. I'm glad I only had a sample and I strongly suggest you follow my example before venturing in a full bottle.

Cheers! 🥃

Jan van den Ende                                                                     August 14, 2025

Dalmunach 6 (Claxton's)

“Blame It On My Youth”

Whisky Review # 1071

Country: Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
Region: Speyside

Brand: Dalmunach - Distilled on 15-06-2015 - Bottled on 06-10-2021

Matured & Bottled by: Claxton's Spirits, Dumfries & Galloway - Exploration Series

Type: Single Malt Single Cask Scotch Whisky  
Age: 6 Years

Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 50%
Maturation: 2nd Fill Red Wine Barrique (Chateau Leovilles - St. Julien)
Chill Filtration: No
Price Average: US$ 65 (August 2025)

Price/Quality Ratio: 😑 Borderline Acceptable
Buying Advice: 👎 Too Sour, slightly Harsh and Immature

Colour:

Light Gold with shades of Orange (Natural Color)

Nose:

Young and Light. A mix of Bitter, Sweet, Sour & slightly Burnt notes. The Red Wine cask influence is not overpowering. It does not do a lot for me I'm afraid.

Main Aromas:

Sweet Barley, lightly Burnt Toast with a mixed spread of Butter & Margarine, Sour Red Wine, Sour Cherries, Dark Red Berries and Currants, Dried Fruit like Apricots, Dates and Plums, Yeast, Mixed Nuts, Lemon, Seville-Orange, Plastic, Cinnamon & Pepper. 

Supportive Aroma Accents:

Caramel, Vanilla, Honey, Syrup, Raisins, Cooked Vegetables, Green Leaves, Wet Sand, Herbs, Ginger, Nutmeg, Tobacco and Wood Chips.         

Palate:

Young and Edgy. A mix of Bitter, Sweet & Sour notes. Quite Dry. No need to wake me up for this. 

Main Flavours:

Sweet Barley, Caramel, Yeast, Dark Red Berries & Currants, slightly Sour Cherries, Sour Red Wine, Creme de Cassis, Lemon, Seville-Orange, Pepper, Cinnamon and Nutmeg.        

Supportive Flavour Accents:

Dried Fruit like Dates, Plums, Figs and Apricots, Honey, Wood Chips, Mixed Nuts, Cocoa, Tobacco, Coconut, Wet Sand, Ginger, Licorice and a hint of Raw Meat.  

  

Finish:

Middle-Long, Bitter-Sweet, a little Harsh & quite Dry. The Alcohol is noticeable and the Spirit can't hide its Youth. I find Malted Barley, Syrup, Honey, Caramel, Mixed Nuts, Sour Red Wine, Dark Red Berries & Currants, Lemon, Seville-Orange, Burnt Grass, Coconut, Green Leaves & Herbs, Cooked Vegetables, Espresso, Cinnamon, Pepper, Nutmeg, Cloves, Ginger, Licorice, Wood Chips and a hint of Raw Meat.  

Drinking Advice:

Added Water does not improve this Dalmunach.

Rating: 6 ( ******)

Nose: 6 - Taste: 6.5 - Finish: 6 

*** Important Note with respect to Rating.

If the Final score is around 8 you can safely buy the whisky in question if and when it fits your Aroma/Flavor profile. If the score is between 6 and 8 you might want to try it out in the form of a sample or if offered at a good price. Anything below 6 should be left alone when you are looking for a nice sipping whisky. You might still like it of course & I realize pricing is an important item for many whisky fans especially when you are used to enjoy whisky in a cocktail or a mixed drink.

Drinking Experience Neat: Borderline okay

Conclusion:

Chivas Regal bought the old Imperial distillery (1897) in 2005. In 2012 Chivas it was decided to break down Imperial (with the exception of Warehouses) & built a new distillery on the same spot in Carron. It was ready in 2015. The first official release of Dalmunach was a 4-Year old CS that was presented in 2019. The 6-Years old I'm reviewing today was matured and bottled by Claxton's, an Indie bottler. Their beautiful office is located within the Dalswinton Estate. Their Bonded Warehouse and Bottling facility are situated at the Dalswinton Bond. It contains both traditional dunnage as well as modern racked storage.

The influence of the Red Wine cask is not overpowering but it is enough to mask the intrinsic quality of the young Dalmunach spirit. Therefore I think I've not met the real Dalmunach as yet. For sure I will be looking out for other expressions of this young distillery. This specific expression by Claxton's does not give me a lot of satisfaction. It's yoo Young and immature and slightly too Sour for my likings. I can't really recommend this. 

Cheers! 🥃

Jan van den Ende                                                                       August 7, 2025

Ardnahoe Infinite Loch

“New Kid In Town”

Whisky Review # 1070

Country: Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
Region: Islay

Brand: Ardnahoe Infinite Loch

Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky  
Age: NAS (Probably Around 5 Years) 

Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 50%
Maturation: Mix of 1st Fill Bourbon casks (70%) and 1st Fill Oloroso Sherry casks
Chill Filtration: No
Price Range: US$ 55-70 (July 2025)

Price/Quality Ratio: 👍 Pleasantly priced. Enjoy it while it lasts!
Buying Advice: 😊 If you like Young Islay this is a good alternative 

Colour:

Golden (Natural Color)

Nose:

A Young but certainly not unpleasant Islay nose. Mix Lagavulin, Kilchoman & Caol Ila and you come close to matching this Ardnahoe Infinite nose. The Peat and Smoke are soft and almost elegant. Lots of succulent Malt as well. The influence of the Sherry casks is limited. The Nose is mostly Sweet but also presents some Sour and Bitter notes. All in all a good first impression of this young distillery.

Main Aromas:

Sweet Barley, Slightly Burnt Buttered Toast, Vanilla, Salted Caramel, Yeast, Hay, Smoked Fish and Pork on the BBQ, Ashes, Tar, Coastal Peat, Nougat, Puff Pastry filled with Apricot, Lemon, Grapefruit, Sour Berries and Plums, Ginger, Aniseed & Mint.  

Supportive Aroma Accents:

Honey, Toffee, Dough, Chalk, Soot, Hospital, Dirty Earth, Wet Sand & Rocks, Oak, Herbal Tea, Seville Orange, Unripe Pear, Milk, Petrol Station, Metal, Plastic, Cocoa Powder, Pepper, Cloves, Nutmeg, Wet Forest Floor and Tobacco.     

Palate:

Young & Light but certainly well-made. Good cask management. The Alcohol is more present now. On the Palate we find a mix of Bitter, Sweet, Salty, Sour and slightly Burnt notes. 

Main Flavours:

Malted Barley, slightly Burnt Buttered Toast, Salted Caramel, Vanilla, Yeast and Dough, Burnt Hay, Factory Smoke, Coastal Peat, Soot, Tar, Iodine, Ashes, Seville Orange, Lemon, Grapefruit, Dusty Oak, Pepper, Ginger and Licorice.      

Supportive Flavour Accents:

Honey, Herbal Tea, Unripe Pear, Sour Berries & Plums, Seaweed, Forest Floor, Wet Rocks and Sand, Metal, Plastic, Petrol Station, Nougat, Black Olives, Menthol and Mint, Tobacco, Leather, Pork and (Shell) Fish on the BBQ and Peanut Butter.  

  

Finish:

Young, Middle-Long, slightly Thin and a little Harsh. The Alcohol is more noticeable now. A mix of Bitter, Sweet, Sour and Burnt notes. Clearly the weakest part of this Ardnahoe. Quite Dry in the end. I find Sweet Barley, Vanilla, Salted Caramel, Hay, Dough, Yeast, Chalk, Dirty Smoke, Coastal Peat, Hospital, Soot, Ashes, Tar, Wet Sand and Rocks, Metal, Petrol Station, Plastic, Lemon, Grapefruit, Seville Orange, Black Olives, Herbal Tea, Nougat, Licorice, Pepper, Ginger, Nutmeg, slightly Burnt Meat on the BBQ, Leather, Tobacco, slightly Burnt Biscuits, Dusty Oak and After Eight Chocolates.

Drinking Advice:

Despite the high ABV, there is surprisingly no need for added Water here. At the same time I think that an ABV of around 46% would serve this Ardnahoe well.

Rating: 7.5 (*******1/2) 

Nose: 8 - Taste: 7.5 - Finish: 6.5 

*** Important Note with respect to Rating.

If the Final score is around 8 you can safely buy the whisky in question if and when it fits your Aroma/Flavor profile. If the score is between 6 and 8 you might want to try it out in the form of a sample or if offered at a good price. Anything below 6 should be left alone when you are looking for a nice sipping whisky. You might still like it of course & I realize pricing is an important item for many whisky fans especially when you are used to enjoy whisky in a cocktail or a mixed drink.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good when considering Age and Pricing.

Conclusion:

Ardnahoe was founded in 2017 and is owned by Independent Bottler Hunter Laing & Company. It's the only distillery on Islay that uses Wooden Worm Tubs. Around 90% of the production is peated (Around 40 PPM). Its is beautifully located with a breathtaking view on the Sound of Islay and the isle of Jura. The Infinite Loch is the current core expression and was launched in the autumn of 2024. It is named after the lake on Islay.

This is my first Ardnahoe and I'm pleasantly surprised. It's Young of course and a little Thin and I would argue that the ABV is slightly too high. But it's well-made and I have no issue with the casks used. It's only in the Finish that you notice that this distillery is not quite there yet. But they are certainly on the right track and, for the time being, pleasantly priced. I wish Ardnahoe all the best & look forward to enjoy a fully matured Single Malt of this distillery in the future.  

Cheers! 🥃

Jan van den Ende                                                                         July 30, 2025

Eden Mill 2019 Release

“For Bitter Or Worse” 

Whisky Review # 1069

Country: Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
Region: Lowlands

Brand: Eden Mill 2019 Release - Limited Edition - 3000 Bottles

Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky  
Age: NAS (Probably 3 Years) 

Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 46.5%
Maturation:A mix of Oloroso and PX hogsheads and Ex-Bourbon barrels
Chill Filtration: No
Price Range: US$ 210-250 (July 2025)

Price/Quality Ratio: 👎 Way too expensive for what it offers
Buying Advice: 👎 Too Young and simply not (yet) good enough as a Single Malt

Colour:

Golden Amber (Natural Color)

Nose:

Young and Light. A mix of Sweet, Sour and Yeasty notes. A Bit of Fruit, Honey and Vanilla. Not too much depth here. The Sherry cask influence is moderate.

Main Aromas:

Sweet Barley, Toast with a Butter/Margarine spread, Vanilla, Honey, Yeast, Cake & Bread Dough, Green Apple, Pear, Caffe Latte, Dusty Oak, Pepper, Cinnamon and Ginger.

Supportive Aroma Accents:

Caramel, Cherries and Berries, Dried Fruit like Apricot, Raisins and Plums, Citrus (Orange and Lemon), Canned Pineapple, Milk Chocolate, Wet Paper, Damp Cellar, Varnish, Floral notes and Metal coins. A hint of Raw Meat.  

Palate:

Young, Light, Raw and Metallic. Not really pleasant. The Alcohol is noticeable. An unbalanced mix of Bitter, Sweet & Sour notes. Absurd price level for this Malt.

Main Flavours:

Sweet Barley, Toasted Grains, Caramel, Yeast, Dough, Bread, Berries, Cherries & Orange, Dusty Oak, Old Peanuts, Pepper, Ginger and Cinnamon.      

Supportive Flavour Accents:

Slightly Burnt Buttered Toast, Vanilla, Wax, Milk Chocolate, Dried Fruit like Plums, Raisins and Bananas, Caffe Latte, Nutshells, Dusty Earth, Wet Paper, Damp Cellar, Raw Meat and Tobacco.  

  

Finish:

Young, Light, Raw, Hot and luckily on the Short Side. Sweet and Sour at first but with increasing Bitterness towards the Medium Dry end. The Alcohol is certainly noticeable. Not my cup of Tea! I find Toasted Grain, Salted Caramel, Honey, Malt, Nuts and Nutshells, Dough, Yeast, Dried Fruit like Raisins, Plums and Bananas, Citrus, Paper, Metal, Green Apple, Milk Chocolate, Dusty Oak, Pepper, Cinnamon & Ginger.

Drinking Advice:

Added Water does not really improve this Eden Mill but takes out some of the Harshness. Better add a few drops.  

Rating: 5.5 (*****1/2)

Nose: 6 - Taste: 5.5 - Finish: 5.5 

*** Important Note with respect to Rating.

If the Final score is around 8 you can safely buy the whisky in question if and when it fits your Aroma/Flavor profile. If the score is between 6 and 8 you might want to try it out in the form of a sample or if offered at a good price. Anything below 6 should be left alone when you are looking for a nice sipping whisky. You might still like it of course & I realize pricing is an important item for many whisky fans especially when you are used to enjoy whisky in a cocktail or a mixed drink.

Drinking Experience Neat: Below average

Conclusion:

Eden Mill was founded in 2012 in Guardbridge close to St. Andrews. It started as a Brewery but a distillery was added in 2014. In March 2022 the plans for a new and larger distillery were approved and production of gin and whisky started in April this year. The current production capacity is 1 million litres per year. In 2022 a private equity firm called Inverleith LLP acquired a majority of the shares of Eden Mill. The vatting of this 2019 release includes a cask of Chocolate Malt Spirit and also Crystal Malt Spirit. The latter is mainly used for Beer.

This is downright disappointing. I understand that young distilleries need to create cash in the short term in view of the high investment costs. But it's a much better idea to produce Gin and the likes for this purpose and give Whisky the time it needs to mature. You can drink this Eden Mill of course but it does not provide any pleasure and it's terribly expensive as well. I'm really looking forward to a fully matured Eden Mill but this Young stuff does not work for me.   

Cheers! 🥃

Jan van den Ende                                                                         July 23, 2025

Glen Elgin 2004 (Lady of the Glen)

“Orange Blossom Special” 

Whisky Review # 1068

Country: Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
Region: Speyside

Brand: Glen Elgin 2004 - Distilled: 04-03-2004

Matured and Bottled by: Lady of the Glen (LotG) on 15-03-2021

Type: Single Malt Single Cask Scotch Whisky - Cask # 801298 
Age: 17 Years - Limited Edition -  240 Bottles

Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 55.7% (Cask Strength)
Maturation: Hogshead with Ex Ruby Port Barrique Finish
Chill Filtration: No
Price: Around US$ 120,00  (July 2025)

Price/Quality Ratio: 😏 Borderline acceptable
Buying Advice: 👍 Nice Fruity Speysider that benefits from the Port Finish

Colour:

Golden Amber (Natural Color)

Nose:

Mainly Sweet with additional Sourness from the Port cask. The Nose is Soft and slightly underwhelming. Lots of Citrus and Green/Grassy notes. It's okay but i had expected a bit more to be honest.

Main Aromas:

Sweet Barley, Honey, Yeast, Dough, Citrus Peel (Orange, Tangerine & Mandarin), Dried Fruit like Apricot, Figs, Banana and Raisins, Grass and Straw, Fortified Red Wine, Fresh Green Herbs, Dusty Oak, Aniseed, Mint and Cinnamon. There are notes of Chocolate as well but I can't make up my mind. Sometimes I get Dark Chocolate and sometimes Milk-Hazelnut Chocolate.  

Supportive Aroma Accents:

Wax, Cake with Cream and Strawberries, Vanilla, Toffee, Lemon, Berries, Apples and Pears, Tobacco, Leather, Varnish, Peanut Butter, Nougat, Nutmeg & Pepper.  

Palate:

For me the best part of this Glen Elgin. The Alcohol is more present now and Oak and Spices come to the forefront. It remains pleasantly Fruity though with both Sweet and Sour notes. A very light Bitterness. Medium-Dry. I like it. 😃

Main Flavours:

Sweet Barley, Honey, Buttery Cake with Cream and Strawberries, Grass & Straw, Citrus Peel (Orange, Tangerine, Mandarin, Grapefruit, Lemon) Dried Fruit (Figs, Apricot, Raisin, Apple, Pineapple), Fresh Green Herbs, Dusty Oak, Cinnamon,  Pepper and Nutmeg.    

Supportive Flavour Accents:

Wax, Vanilla, Toffee, Sugar, Bounty Bars, Pear, Floral notes, Tea with Milk, Dark Chocolate, Tobacco, Leather, Cloves and Ginger.  

  

Finish:

Middle-Long. Mostly Sweet & Sour notes with a very light Bitterness for balance. Dry in the end. The Alcohol is more noticeable now. I find Sweet Barley, Vanilla, Caramel, Toffee, Honey, Wax, Citrus Peel (Orange, Grapefruit, Lemon, Tangerine), Red Berries, Green Apple, Cream, Nougat, Dark Chocolate, Hazelnuts, Herbal Tea, Floral notes, Red Wine, Dusty Oak, Pepper, Cinnamon, Mint, Aniseed, Ginger and Cloves.

Drinking Advice:

I added a little Water that enhances the Barley and brings some juicy Peach to the Nose. On the Palate and in the Finish the Alcohol is controlled & the added Water guarantees a smooth drinking experience. I like it both ways.  

Rating: 7.5 (*******1/2)

Nose: 7 - Taste: 8 - Finish: 7.5 

*** Important Note with respect to Rating.

If the Final score is around 8 you can safely buy the whisky in question if and when it fits your Aroma/Flavor profile. If the score is between 6 and 8 you might want to try it out in the form of a sample or if offered at a good price. Anything below 6 should be left alone when you are looking for a nice sipping whisky. You might still like it of course & I realize pricing is an important item for many whisky fans especially when you are used to enjoy whisky in a cocktail or a mixed drink.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion:

The Glen Elgin distillery is located four miles south of Elgin in the small village of Fogwatt close to the A 941. It was founded in 1898 by James Carle and William Simpson. It had its ups and downs but was finally bought by DCL in 1930. Today it's part of the Diageo Group and became one of their Classic Malts range in 2005. Most of the Spirit is destined for Blends like White Horse. The only official bottlings are the 12 Years and the limited 18 Years Edition I reviewed earlier.

As you all know I'm usually not that keen on Red Wine cask finished Single Malt. But in this case it works and the result is a very Fruity Glen Elgin that combines both Sweet and Sour notes with a slight Bitterness for balance. The Nose is a bit shy but Palate and Finish are quite pleasant and invite you to have another sip. It's not cheap of course but other than that I can recommend this Elgin if you like the Aroma/Flavour profile.

Cheers!

Jan van den Ende                                                                         July 10, 2025