In my opinion Halcyon Spirits had a bit of a bumpy start with their selection of a curiously perfumed Macallan 1993. However their second release is already available, so we’re keen to see how this compares. This time they present a Lowlands single malt: Auchentoshan 1991, matured for 32 years in a single cask.
Auchentoshan 32 yo 1991 (48,7%, Halcyon Spirits 2023, cask #1896, 140 btl.)
Nose: plenty of waxed papers and paraffin, nice. Also dried wildflowers and hay, alongside mint leaves. Light hints of white fruits. Then a series of tiny notes, like green peppercorns, leaves and branches and herbal honey. Later some ripe peach appears, as well as banana and a whiff of gorse and lavender. I like the dusty character of old-style drams like this.
Mouth: same waxy style. Aromatic herbs, a little green cardamom, with Seville oranges and lemon peels. Restrained fruits – the more austere side of the Lowlands seems to prevail now. Hints of oak char and pepper with a hint of bitter almonds. Ginger and nutmeg grow stronger. Cut grass and new echoes of beeswax, becoming more drying and tannic towards the end.
Finish: quite long, bittersweet. Toasted oak, zesty notes, hay and herbal tea.
Although the official tasting notes suggested more fruits, I like the waxy character, the delicate floral notes and mild, dusty herbs. Slightly unsexy and perhaps not for beginners, but a rewarding sipping whisky. Now available from Halcyon Spirits.