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Scotch Whisky Review: The Last Drop 40 Year Old Auchentoshan Single Cask Release No.34

This is a very-well-aged Auchentoshan 40 Year Old from independent bottler The Last Drop. Distilled way back in 1982, it rested in a single barrel (cask reference 1054) for four decades before being bottled by Last Drop in 2024.

OVERALL RATING

9
$5,200
  • Ed Leigh is the founder of TopWhiskies.com and an expert in independent bottlers.
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Tasting Notes

About:

This is a very-well-aged Auchentoshan 40 Year Old from independent bottler The Last Drop. Distilled way back in 1982, it rested in a single barrel (cask reference 1054) for four decades before being bottled by Last Drop in 2024. After those four decades, the angels have been greedy – both with regards ABV, which presents at a modest 44.8%, and yield, with only 72 bottles.
Appearance:
Medium, dusty gold. Thick and viscous in the glass with pronounced legs.
Nose:
Fragrant and complex. Old oak, dried straw, and rich caramel. A nutty character with rich oily walnuts. Red apple peel and plums. Cloves and star anise.
Palate:
Medium to full mouthfeel with a satisfying texture. Rich dark fruits with raisins, cherries and plums. Soft, sticky, ginger cake. Some of the quality malt character survives after all those years, and right at the back there\’s a savoury tea note. Wood spice with cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Alcohol, while modest after the greedy angles, is well integrated.
Finish:
Medium in length. Dark rich fruits fade through that soft ginger cake note into a touch of old oak and warming spice.
Comments:
Elegant and complex after four decades of careful maturation; a regal, old grandfather of a whisky.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Ed Leigh

Ed Leigh is a recognized authority on independent bottlers and artisan Scotch whisky. In 2019, he founded TopWhiskies.com, a specialist retailer dedicated to promoting these often family-run businesses and showcasing their small-batch releases. Based in London, Ed holds certifications in both wine and spirits from The Wine & Spirit Education Trust.

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