Whisky Focus - Five New Auchentoshan Travel Retail Whiskies

Auchentoshan single malt whisky launches exciting new range exclusive to travel retail.

This March, Auchentoshan, Scotland’s only triple distilled Single Malt whisky, will launch a new and exclusive range for the travel retail sector, consisting of four core permanent expressions supplemented by two limited editions released each year.

Available globally in a range of international airports, terminals and border shops, the range is targeted at global travellers who want to explore a stylish and unique range of Single Malt whiskies as well as whisky collectors and aficionados.

With a view to expanding and growing the Single Malt category globally, this compelling collection boasts a distinct style and taste, all beautifully maturated using a selection of fine North American and European oak casks previously used for the ageing of Bourbon, Spanish Oloroso Sherry and Pedro Ximénez Sherry. This provides Auchentoshan with a strong point-of-difference within the sector.

With two expressions carrying an age statement, this new range takes its cues from the oak casks used to mature the whisky. During cask maturation the spirit takes on a multi-layered complexity from the wood – in the aromas, tastes and texture. Being the only Scottish Single Malt whisky to triple distil every drop means that the spirit produced starts life at 81.5% ABV; most distilleries settle for 70% ABV. It is this quality of Auchentoshan’s distillate paired with the carefully selected oak casks that gives these whiskies some astonishing flavours – these factors are equally, if not more important than merely age. Many whiskies can in fact have a less mature character if matured in lesser quality oak.

Rachel Barrie, Master Blender at Morrison Bowmore Distillers, states: “The new Auchentoshan Travel Retail range brings the story of cask maturation alive, allowing the drinker to experience the distinctive influence of different casks from North America and Spain as well as the influence of age. We have created a range for exploration and discovery, from aperitif to digestif in style, soft and sweet to dark and delicious in taste. I am very excited to have the opportunity to share these intriguing and highly distinctive expressions of Auchentoshan with the world.”

The New Auchentoshan Travel Retail Range

The wood theme is evident throughout all aspects of the new range with each expression’s name being inspired by the tree life cycle stages that reflect the malts’ personality and flavours:-

• Auchentoshan Springwood is the time when most of the growing happens for a tree and thus this malt is fresh, zesty and sweet – reminiscent of eating fruits in a spring garden. Springwood is 100% North American ex-bourbon oak and its name is inspired by the higher percentage of springwood in North American oak.
  RRP £34.99 See Tasting Note
   
• Auchentoshan Heartwood is the core of the tree and like an older sibling to Springwood; a rich, warming and hearty dram, with an intense and complex taste. It is matured in a combination of toasted Spanish Oloroso sherry casks and deeply charred North American bourbon casks to create this rich and warming dram.
  RRP £41.99 See Tasting Note
   
• Auchentoshan 14 Year Old Cooper’s Reserve is named so as it is mature and well rounded; it has a complex relationship with the wood and is perfect for a special occasion. At 14 years old, this whisky has developed an ideal and unique balance of soft dried fruit and intense nuttiness.
  RRP £49.99 See Tasting Note
   
• Auchentoshan Solera is named after a process for producing and ageing sherry due to the use of ex Pedro Ximénez casks in this expression. Renowned as the ‘King of all Sherries’, Pedro Ximénez casks add contrasting deep aromas and textures. Solera is dark, intense and alluring – perfect for moments of pure indulgence or as a gifting item.
  RRP £130.00 See Tasting Note
   
• Auchentoshan Silveroak has an incredible multi-layered complexity, is a rare whisky and thus is named after the silver rings that appear on the inside of an older tree. Bottled at the traditional high strength of 51.5% ABV and non-chilled filtered, the expressions makes for a wonderful digestif to sip and savour.
  RRP £79.99 See Tasting Note

As a top-10 travel retail brand in Europe with big aspirations and enjoying double-digit growth year on year within the sector, the new range is a compelling consumer-driven concept to build on the successes so far. This bold wood proposition offers consumers differentiation within a competitive category, providing a strong-selling back story. The stylish and contemporary packaging with new taste cues for each expression also brings to life the story of each cask, appealing to a cross demographic and embracing the consumers’ desire for discovery and learning about the history and craftsmanship of the whisky.

David Wilson, Sales & Marketing Director of Morrison Bowmore Distillers, commented on the new range: "Single Malts is one of the fastest growing sectors of travel retail, so we understand the importance of getting it right. We are extremely proud to launch this unique and differentiated range exclusively for the global traveller that taps into the pleasure of the Single Malt experience in a modern and relevant way. The careful attention and ongoing investment in our oak casks combined with our unique adherence to triple distillation has resulted in an exceptional range of quality malts."
 

• UK Shops
   
• USA Shops
   
• European Shops
  

Whisky Focus