No hauf measures

For years, the so-called ‘lowland’ Scotch whiskies had a rough ride. For a start, there were only a handful of single malt distilleries left in this geographical region stretching from the English border up into Fife. They also had a reputation for being a little bland, next to sweet, full bodied Speysides, punchy Highlands and peaty Islays.

In recent years, however, an increasingly sophisticated whisky-drinking public has prompted a new appreciation for its subtle charms.

Auchentoshan (from the Gaelic meaning “the corner of the fields”) is close to Glasgow city centre. It’s a classic, traditional distillery; squat, white-walled buildings and copper-clad cupolas that are as much a part of the landscape as the highland cows that graze in the distillery grounds. But that’s where the tradition ends.

It has long been known for the light, smooth quality of its spirits. Indeed, Auchentoshan’s unique selling point is that it is triple distilled, making it a true one-of-a-kind among single malts. Triple distillation isn’t just a marketing wheeze; it produces a uniquely soft spirit, with a light mouthfeel and warm, nutty notes.

Like most distilleries, the majority of Auchentoshan’s whisky is laid down in American oak barrels, re-used from the US whiskey industry. It also uses a smaller number of European oak casks sourced from sherry, port and fine wine producers, which impart a rich, spicy character.

Auchentoshan offers a range of bottlings (‘expressions’, in whisky parlance) representing various lengths of maturation and different wood types. Its core ‘American Oak’ is a great whisky; very drinkable, smooth and delicate, but also complex with fresh notes of grass, citrus and nuts. In recent times, it’s found favour with bartenders and mixologists, who value a whisky that gives a smooth character without dominating other flavours. 

Beyond this, the distillery’s Three Wood is a firm favourite, packing bold and complex layers of wood character on that same super smooth malt base. A visit to the distillery gives you access to an even wider selection, including cask-strength limited editions.

The entire range has proven so versatile that, for the past year or so, Auchentoshan has started repositioning itself for a more adventurous crowd. Taking the lead from its own ‘distilled different’ tag line, the distillery has gone out with a bold message that it’s okay to enjoy single malt whisky with a mixer or as part of a cocktail. As well as putting it into the same space as brands like Monkey Shoulder, Kraken and Hendricks, this has opened the door to exciting new collaborations with the beer world.

The distillery’s new signature serve, the ‘Auchentoshan and Ale’ was launched at last year’s Craft Beer Rising festival, and has proven a huge success with drinkers and mixologists alike.

Auchentoshan’s Jane Ashley explains: “The relationship between whisky and beer runs deep; they share a lot of the same base ingredients, both are enjoying a golden age, and the ‘hauf an’ hauf’ is a classic Scottish pairing. We’ve also seen a real growth in beer cocktails and boilermakers, so we wanted a fun, versatile recipe that people could experiment with.”

The Auchentoshan and Ale invites such experimentation. Jane recommends pairing lighter beers, such as pilsners or pale ales, with the American Oak, as the light lemon notes play well with the hops. For fans of darker beers, Jane says a good stout with a measure of Three Wood, chocolate bitters and a cinnamon stick hits the mark.

Working closely with local breweries around the country, Auchentoshan has taken this concept on the road, to much acclaim. Visiting the distillery, I opt for an American Oak and IPA from local brewery Drygate. From the steamy heat of the still room, the icy citrus mixed with the honey syrup is a wonderfully refreshing combination. I’ll certainly be making a stop at Auchentoshan’s stand at this year’s Craft Beer Rising to do some experimentation of my own.

How to make an Auchentoshan and Ale

35ml Auchentoshan American Oak

25ml Lemon Juice

25ml Honey Syrup

90ml Pale Ale