Auchentoshan, Three Woods, Lowland, Single Malt Scotch Whisky (43%)

Auchentoshan Distillery

Auchentoshan Distillery was established in the Dumbartonshire estate of Auchentoshan in 1823. Since then, it has had six owners who have handed down its unique production process.

This Lowland Malt Distillery rests at the foot of the Old Kilpatrick Hills, overlooking the famous River Clyde, once renowned as the Scottish gateway to the world. Throughout its long history, the distillery, one of only a few remaining Lowland Malt Whisky Distilleries, has witnessed the development of Glasgow from its early industrial days, which saw its shipbuilding supremacy famed the world over, through to the modern and cosmopolitan Glasgow seen today.

Auchentoshan, meaning ‘corner of the field’ in Gaelic, produces a delicate, smooth, light single malt whisky. The subtle aroma and flavour are achieved by triple distillation. Unlike other Scottish distilleries, at Auchentoshan, the spirit goes through a third distillation, producing a light and delicate spirit.

The distillery has been extensively refurbished since its acquisition by Morrison Bowmore Distillers in 1984 (now owned by Suntory) and celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2023. Although it retains all its traditional production methods, including its unique triple distillation process, the distillery offers a range of age expressions, single vintage bottlings, and finishes.

(Adapted from the Malt Whisky Yearbook 2024)

Lowlands Whisky

Lowland whiskies come from the area north of the English border, and south of a line drawn between Greenock in the west, and Dundee in the east. Traditionally they have been the source of a lot of the whisky to be used for blends, as such the style is much lighter than other regions, with little or no peat. By the late 19th centaury almost the entire production of the Lowland distilleries went for blending

The growth in popularity and power of the Highland and Speyside distilleries, has been matched by a fall from favour for Lowland producers, to such an extent that today there are only three left in production. By far and away the two biggest whisky distilleries are Auchentoshan and Glenkinchie. The third being Bladnoch, which is also, the most southerly distillery of all.

Auchentoshan Distillery is on the northern edge of Glasgow and was founded in 1800. It has a light, cereal and citrus nose and a clean, dry finish. Glenkinchie Distillery is located at  Pencaitland, just outside Edinburgh. Typical of Lowland malt whiskies: fragrant and reserved, with a clean, fresh flavour.

There are some silent stills, whose whiskies are still found from time to time. Rosebank is quite often seen and was generally considered to be the best Lowland malt. Occasionally, but more rarely seen are St.Magdalene from Linlithgow, Littlemill from Bowling Dumbartonshire and Ladyburn, which was housed inside William Grants grain distillery at Girvan on the Ayrshire coast.