Reviewed by Nick
Despite it not being advertised as a 12 year old whisky, the Auchentoshan Three Wood has been aged in barrels for twelve years. Ten in American oak, one in ex-Oloroso sherry barrels and finally, another one in ex-Pedro Ximenez casks. The result is as surprising as it is magnificent. I can only describe it in one way – Christmas in whisky form.
The final two years of this whisky’s maturation has changed the spirit’s appearance from the sparkling gold typical of classic Auchentoshan to a deeper shade of crimson. It has also added depth to the already present sweet, butterscotch, dried fruit flavours. Suddenly, it’s spicy on the nose, broad across the palate and lengthy in the finish. In short: sticky date pudding – nay – fruit cake – nay – Christmas cake. It is simply one of – if not the – greatest 12 year old Scottish whisky on the market.
This is a dram perfect for warming your heart on a cold snowy day, and although it originates in one of Scotland’s most southerly distilleries, Glasgow is certainly not short of days such as this. This whisky, however, is a little more special than that. Out of all the snowy wintery days in Scotland, this dram would be especially suited to a particularly festive one.
★★★★
Whisky Waffle 
This is possibly my favourite Lowland expression. Delicious! Reminds me of my grandmother’s Christmas pudding…
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It’s fairly amazing, right? I did indeed pour myself a dram on Christmas day – even though it was sunny and 25 degrees outside! Any weather is whisky weather!
Keep on waffling,
Nick
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“Any weather is whisky weather”–hear, hear!
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I was lucky enough to try this one just yesterday. I had to limit myself because I had a long drive ahead of me, but I’m looking to get my own bottle soon enough!
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You will not regret it! Even some of my friends who are not big whisky drinkers like this one. One of the best!
Keep on waffling,
Nick
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Worst Scotch Whisky I’ve tasted so far in my whisky journey.
Palate – Beef extract and Soy sauce.
Not pleasant.
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That is curious. Some don’t like it claiming it’s a bit… fake? Whereas a lot of people (me included) love it. Clearly you fall into a completely different camp – and that is more than alright. Tell you what though, I’m going to have to go searching for that soy sauce now!
Keep on waffling,
Nick
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Actually I made a slight error. I meant on the Nose. (not palate)
Nose; Beef Extract, and Soy Sauce, Chemical smell, bitters, wood tannins, spiced/stained wood.
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I feel we may need to swap noses for me to locate a few of these! Although the bitters I’m with you on!
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