Escapism In A Glass

Thanks to Auchentoshan, whisky doesn’t have to be intimidating

THERE’S A LITERAL WORLD OF WHISKY out there, but while we know that’s cause for celebration it can also be a daunting prospect ‒ there are so many intricacies regarding what makes a great eau de vie. From knowledge of the ingredients to the distillation and maturation process, overtime, whisky developed a reputation for being the purview of stuff y old men and despite what some people might have you believe, whisky should not feel like an intimidating spirit for novice drinkers to get to know better.

For the uninitiated, it can have a reputation as being harsh, complicated, or meant to be drunk in a very particular way. The fl avour profi le of different whiskeys indeed can be complex, but it’s nothing you can’t handle, especially if you are picking the right bottle to start out with. Like a bottle of Auchentoshan.

Difficult to pronounce, easy to drink

Finding a balance between our work and personal lives, during an era where the lines have not only blurred but where work from home has made it almost made both aspects of living virtually indistinguishable means living in the moment and not worrying duly about the present or future. It could even be something as simple as having a glass of your favourite whisky, like a triple distilled Auchentoshan single malt to unwind and let your troubles slip away.

Beloved by those whose introduction to malt whisky is made palatable by its lightness and accessibility, Auchentoshan Single Malt is one of only a few remaining Lowland malts. Bourbon vanilla and coconut with layers of zesty citrus fruit, the beauty of kicking back with an Auchentoshan is that it is a tipple that makes zero demands on you. Enjoyed neat, or iced with a splash of soda or even in a cocktail, the bright gold nectar with a crisp fi nish of sugared grapefruit and a hint of spice, is an uncomplicated but complex tipple.

It’s a spirit born from the belief that happiness can be captured in the bottle and that the accompaniment for a carefree life is the philosophy at the heart of everything

they do at Auchentoshan. Rooted in their signature triple distillation method for extra smoothness, light-bodied whiskies result; light in fl avour but by no means bland, aromatic character and subtlety are hallmarks of Auchentoshan.

Indeed, even an older bottling like the 18 Years matured in American bourbon oak for over eighteen years, results in a refreshing single malt whisky with the added infusion of ripe citrus and green tea, the warmth of toasted almonds and the signature smooth, delicate, Auchentoshan taste.

A long, lingering and well-balanced dram that invigorates throughout the day or as you unwind a long week, a floral freshness with sweet barley sugar at fi rst slowly ebbing to reveal a tangerine zestiness will leave you with a plate left alive and refreshed and then permeating the rest of your body. It’s a moment of zen ensconced in a cup.

As you like: No more rules with Auchentoshan Unlike most other single malts, Auchentoshan is inspired and shaped by its distinctly urban roots. With its distillery uniquely located in the city, Auchentoshan has always been in tune with the fast pace of urban life, this means that while it follows in the steps of masters and tradition, it is never constrained by it. Escapism in a glass, Auchentoshan is not about old men in smoking jackets drinking according to “rules”.

It used to be ‘you drink whisky neat’ or ‘you always drink it with water’; those were two of the rules that existed. There are still people in the industry who think that’s how it should be done but Auchentoshan disagrees: Having whisky in more than one way teases out fl avours that you mightn’t taste otherwise.

There are times when you might want it with ice, times when you prefer some water in it to bring out the fl avours, periods where you might love it in a highball (whisky with soda, tonic or gingerale) and the freedom to enjoy this liquid gold is at the heart of every sip of Auchentoshan. The smoothness in Auchentoshan’s unique fl avour means that it is easy-to- drink and perfect for mixing and sharing ‒ exactly what it wants to encourage whisky drinkers, both novices and whisky aficionados.

While the Glasgow distillery is still producing the same products your grandparents’ parents loved, its appreciation has expanded out of a stuff y gentlemen’s club and into the tumblers of those looking to simply kick back with some good Scotch: pure escapism in a cup.

THE MAIN RULE WHEN DRINKING AUCHENTOSHAN IS, OF COURSE, DRINK THE WAY YOU LIKE.