Auchentoshan 15 years 1999 Cadenhead's One of 504 - bottled 2015 Small Batch (Brown)

Scotland, Lowlands. Distillery operational. Owner: Beam - Suntory

The property of Stanley P Morrison (Morrison Bowmore) from 1984, Auchentoshan passed into the hands of the Japanese company Suntory when the latter bought Morrison Bowmore in 1994. Located in the Lowlands of Scotland, Auchentoshan practices triple distillation, which enables the fruity and floral character of its distillate to be revealed. A key component in the blends Islay Legend and Rob Roy, Auchentoshan made a name for itself in the 1990s with its 1965 and 1966 single casks, examples of a style long lost following the distillery's renovation in 1969. In 2007, it struck again and released two very rare 50 year old single casks distilled in 1957 (#479 and #480, with less than 200 decanters per cask), presented in superb decanters. These are the oldest vintages of Auchentoshan ever bottled.

A small batch from Auchentoshan distilled in 1999, aged in bourbon casks and bottled in 2015. Cadenhead was founded in Aberdeen in 1842 by George Duncan. William Cadenhead then joined the company and, when George Duncan died in 1858, took over and renamed the business after himself. William’s nephew Roberth Duthie developed the company in the early 20th century and it remained a family business until 1969. William Cadenhead Ltd was then sold to the Springbank distillery’s owner J. & A. Mitchell and Co. Hedley G. Wright, a direct descendent of Archibald and John Mitchell, became William Cadenhead Ltd’s CEO. In the past, Cadenhead had mainly sold its own brands, such as Putachieside, The Hielanman, Seven Stars and Green Label rums. Under Hedley G. Wright, the company began to take more of an interest in single malts. This led to the creation of the legendary collection of dumpy bottles in 1977. This series of single malts stood out for its very gentle filtration, lack of artificial colouring, and relatively high bottling strength for the time (80 proof/45.7% ABV). The labels included lots of information, including the month and year of distillation and bottling, and whether or not sherry casks were used. Also in 1977, the business moved to another address in Aberdeen, and finally to Campbeltown. In the 1980s, Cadenhead sold casks to legendary bottlers such as Samaroli and Corti Brothers through the subsidiary Duthie’s. Finally, two new whisky ranges were created in 1991 and 1992, the Original Collection bottled at 46% and the Authentic Collection bottled at cask strength. Other special series to mark Cadenhead’s major anniversaries (150 and 175 years), as well as new ranges launched since (Small Batch, World Whiskies, etc.), have all contributed to the company’s ongoing history up to the present day. A limited edition of 504 bottles.