Auchentoshan 2005 20yo from Whisky Craft

Whisky Craft is a new Indie bottler established in 2025 by Sonny Charles, I came across him at the Leith Indie Spirits Festival in March.

Whilst setting up the festival I spotted a Loch Lomond bottle on his table and knew I had to visit during the festival...

I tried it, but finished in a Cognac cask, it just wasn't for me. At the stand Sonny was also sharing this Auchentoshan and a Palo Cortado finished Auchroisk. Of the three the Auchentoshan stood out and I bought a bottle straight away!

Bottler info:

1 of only 225 bottles. A 20-year-old Lowland single malt, triple distilled and matured in a second-fill hogshead. This dram offers a combination of bright citrus, honeyed sweetness, and gentle grassy freshness.

Bottled at cask strength. 55.1 % abv.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Fresh and zesty, opening with lemon zest, limoncello, honey, and a touch of mint. Grassy notes add brightness and depth.

Palate: Light and refined, with orange oil and soft citrus notes unfolding smoothly.

Finish: Clean and lively, with a peppery kick and a zesty lift that lingers at the back of the tongue.

My thoughts:

Appearance: pale gold in the Glencairn, swirls cling as a hair line crack in the glass, form tiny beads and fall as slow thin legs.

 

Nose: musty vanilla, honey and citrus zest. There's some dry icing sugar hints and orchard fruit notes of pear, apple and apricot. a little orange and an interesting over ripe strawberry note here too.

Palate: thick creamy arrival: orange yoghurt, honey and dry digestive biscuit. There's juicy apricot and plum, some salinity and a hint of cask char. Each sip is a little drier than the last making you want to try more. Sour grapefruit and peppery spice left on the tongue as the liquid disappears.

Finish: lingering dry peppery spice, grapefruit and a little salted lemon.

Overall: I tried this at the Indie Spirits Festival in March and bought the bottle straight away, more proof that Auchentoshan make some lovely spirit, especially when matured in 'plain' ex-bourbon, it just need a decent ABV to be appreciated. I was impressed with 2 of the 3 drams Sonny had presented in 'Season 2', I can't wait to see what follows!

 

Sonny at the Indie Spirit's Festival