Maturation in American Oak cask brings profound flavours in this new whisky
Auchentoshan Single Malt Scotch Whisky has unveiled a new addition to its range – American Oak.
Created from only first-fill ex bourbon American oak casks, American Oak sits alongside Auchentoshan 12 Years Old and Auchentoshan Three Wood in the core range.
Special Oak Brings Special Flavours
A special focus is given to the casks, which significantly contribute to the final taste of Auchentoshan whisky. The American Oak casks are constructed from 100-year-old oak trees (of the Quercusalba species) grown in the North American mountains.
The trees are felled, with the logs quarter-sawn, and the inner heartwood is cut into staves. Following slow drying, the staves are raised into oak barrels and charred over a gas burner to create a layer of charcoal on the inner surface of the cask as well as heat-activating deeper layers inside the oak staves, releasing flavour layers of vanilla, caramelised sugars, coconut and oak spices.
The Process to Perfection
The oak barrels then hold American bourbon whiskey, which breaks down the oak further to release even more vanilla, coconut and silky maturation oils. The casks are then emptied and shipped to Scotland to be filled with the triple-distilled Auchentoshan new-make spirit.
Following rigorous sampling of different casks, Auchentoshan’s Master Blender, Rachel Barrie, decides which ones to hand-select for Auchentoshan American Oak based on the different flavour dimensions and then marries the casks together for several months to achieve layers of complexity.
Iain McCallum, Master of Malts for Morrison Bowmore Distillers, says, “This exciting expression is the first ever from Auchentoshan to be matured only in first-fill bourbon cask.”
“First-fill casks deliver lashings of creamy oak lactones that will take you on a sensorial journey of discovery,” he says.
Auchentoshan American Oak is retailing for $121 at The Beam Cellar, Mountbatten Square, 229 Mountbatten Road, #01-03 to 07 / #01-17 to 19, Singapore 398007.
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