Auchentoshan

Introduction:

Auchentoshan distillery follows the old Lowland tradition of triple distillation, resulting in smooth and mellow whiskies. Their core range includes American Oak, 12-year-old Auchentoshan, and Three Wood whiskies. Auchentoshan often uses sherry or wine casks to add sweetness to their whiskies. They also produce complex expressions like the 18-year-old and 21-year-old, which are appreciated by connoisseurs.

Production:

Located in the Glen between Kilpatrick Hills and the River Clyde near Glasgow, Auchentoshan distillery uses spring water from Loch Cochno for distillation. With an annual production of 1.5 million liters, Auchentoshan is known for its high-quality single malts. Triple distillation has been a proud tradition since 1823, ensuring a refined spirit.

Pot Stills:

Auchentoshan employs three pot stills for triple distillation. The wash still holds 17,500 liters, while the intermediate still has a capacity of 8,200 liters. The spirit still, with a capacity of 11,500 liters, produces a high-alcohol core spirit at 81% ABV. The tall stills with constricted necks and leveled-out Lyne arms contribute to Auchentoshan’s distinctive character.

Maltings:

Auchentoshan sources unpeated malt from major malt houses to match its light distillery character. The fermentation process takes 62 hours, resulting in fruity citrus and apple flavors without compromising the malt character. The distillery uses seven washbacks, four made of Douglas fir and three of stainless steel.

Warehouses:

Auchentoshan has three dunnage warehouses and two racked warehouses on its estate. Guests can visit one of the dunnage warehouses, which was rebuilt after a bombing in 1941. Bourbon barrels are primarily used for maturation, but Auchentoshan also experiments with different types of sherry and wine casks. They released Auchentoshan Virgin Oak, matured in fresh American oak casks.

History:

The history of Auchentoshan Distillery dates back to 1800 when it was originally built by John Bulloch and named Duntocher. However, financial difficulties led to bankruptcy in 1822. Fortunately, John Bulloch’s son took charge of the business and officially registered the distillery as Auchentoshan in 1823. This registration marked the beginning of Auchentoshan’s legal existence as a whisky distillery. Consequently, 1823 is recognized as the official foundation date, and there are no records of legal whisky production before this year.

Throughout its long history, Auchentoshan has changed ownership multiple times, with various individuals and companies owning the distillery. More recently, it came under the ownership of the Japanese Suntory group, a renowned name in the whisky industry.

A significant milestone in Auchentoshan’s history occurred in 1969 when the distillery’s owner took a pioneering step. During a time when blended whiskies dominated the market, Auchentoshan embraced the production of Single Malt whisky. This move was remarkable and showcased the distillery’s commitment to producing unique and distinct whiskies outside the mainstream blend industry.

These historical events have shaped Auchentoshan’s identity and contributed to its reputation as a respected and innovative player in the whisky world.

Visitor Centre:

Auchentoshan’s visitor center offers tours and a shop where visitors can purchase various Auchentoshan bottlings. They have the opportunity to have their own whisky bottled directly from the cask. The tours provide detailed insights into the production process and tastings of standard and “archive” bottlings. The “Auchentoshan Ultimate Tour” offers a unique tasting experience in the distillery’s official blending room. Private tours outside regular opening hours are available upon request.

Visitor information:

The Auchentoshan Distillery
by Dalmuir
Cyldebank
Glasgow
G81 4SJ
Tel: +44 (0)1389-878561