Auchentoshan Bartender’s Blend is an interesting take on a brand that’s woefully underrepresented here on TWJ. I’ve had a ton of their core range in my life, but it’s never been in a situation where I could taste, take notes and get decent photos and so thisAuchentoshan Bartender’s Blend is only the second Auchentoshan I’ve ever reviewed here on TWJ.
In Auchentoshan’s Words: Auchentoshan Bartender’s Blend
“The Bartender’s Malt, has been produced exclusively by the 12 winners of the Lowlands distillery’s New Malt Order cocktail competition.The bartenders, from Germany, Sweden, the US, Canada and UK, worked under the supervision of former Auchentoshan master blender Rachel Barrie to create the expression, although the team were given ‘unprecedented’ access to the distillery’s whisky stocks.
The expression is a no-age-statement vatting of casks produced at Auchentoshan distillery chosen to reflect the personality of each bartender. Although no whisky in the vatting is younger than six years old, the whiskies chosen span five decades from the 1970s-2010s, and a range of cask types from ex-Laphroaig casks to German oak and ex-rum barrels.”
Unique in concept, unique in purpose and unique in execution it’s time to dive in and see what this Auchentoshan Bartender’s Blend is all about in the Auchentoshan Bartender’s Blend review below!
Auchentoshan Bartender’s Blend Info
Region: Lowlands, Scotland
Distiller: Auchentoshan
Mashbill: 100% Malted BArley
Cask: Various (ex-Laphroaig, German oak, ex-rum and more)
Age: NAS (6 Years)
ABV: 47%
Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Batch: 1
Price: $50*
Auchentoshan Bartender’s Blend Review
EYE
Amber
NOSE
Banana, grain, cinnamon, toffee, young malt, honey, rum sweetness and a light bit of anise, biscuits and spearmint.
PALATE
Honey, banana bread, cinnamon oil, toffee, grain, rum sweetness, malty spirit, nutmeg and a bit of biscuits, spearmint and gingerbread.
FINISH
Medium drying tannic fade of spice, grain, cinnamon, acetone and smoke.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Not balanced, medium body and a warm feel.
OVERALL
Auchentoshan Bartender’s Blend is not as good as the standard 12 years. This has that young craft whisky essence to it with lots of grainy spirit and young oak. Thankfully it gets balanced out with more complex and interesting notes, but not enough to fully right the ship. Maybe next year’s will be better, but this one just doesn’t do it for me.
That all said, I see how the Auchentoshan Bartender’s Blend could work well in a cocktail and since that’s what it was intended for it kind of a success. It’s a bit like Angostura; I wouldn’t drink it on its own, but it’s a great ingredient in a cocktail.
SCORE: 76/100 (C)
*Disclosure: This Auchentoshan Bartender's Blend was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
