Wm Cadenhead is the oldest independent bottler in Scotland, trading since 1842 and owned by J & A Mitchell, the Campbeltown family firm that also owns Springbank. That ownership matters, because it means Cadenhead answers to nobody's marketing department. The Original Collection is the house's plainest expression of that: whisky bought by the cask from a named distillery, reduced to 46 percent and bottled without chill filtration and without added colouring, on a stark silver label that lists the distillery, the age and the cask and nothing else. No story, no packaging, no attempt to dress anything up. This one comes from Auchentoshan, in the Lowlands just outside Glasgow, and Auchentoshan is genuinely unusual. Almost every Scottish distillery distils twice. Auchentoshan distils three times, every drop, without exception, which is a practice more associated with Ireland than Scotland. The extra pass strips out heavier compounds and lifts the spirit to a higher strength off the still, producing a notably light, clean and delicate malt with a soft citrus and cereal character. Eleven years in cask fills that out without weighing it down, and at 46 percent undiluted by filtration there is more texture and more flavour than the distillery's official bottlings at 40 percent carry. Expect fresh citrus, green apple and light malt on the nose, then a clean palate of vanilla, pear and soft grain with gentle oak, closing crisp and dry. A serious drinker's bottle from a bottler whose name means something.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
46% |
| Proof |
92 |
| Size |
750ml |
| Country |
Scotland |
| Region |
Lowlands |
| Distillery |
Auchentoshan Distillery |
| Bottler |
Wm Cadenhead, Campbeltown, Scotland, established 1842 |
| Category |
Single Malt Scotch Whisky |
| Range |
Cadenhead Original Collection |
| Age |
11 Years |
| Distillation |
Triple distilled at Auchentoshan |
| Filtration |
Non chill filtered |
| Colour |
Natural, no added colouring |
Tasting Notes
Color: Pale gold, entirely natural.
Nose: Fresh citrus and green apple over light malt, with soft vanilla behind.
Palate: Clean and delicate with real texture at 46 percent. Vanilla and pear carry soft cereal and gentle oak spice.
Finish: Crisp and dry, closing on citrus zest and light oak.
FAQ
Q: What is an independent bottling?
A: Whisky bought by the cask from a distillery and bottled by another company under its own label. Cadenhead has been doing it since 1842 and is the oldest independent bottler in Scotland.
Q: What makes Auchentoshan unusual?
A: It triple distils every drop of its spirit, which almost no other Scottish distillery does. The extra pass produces a lighter, cleaner and more delicate malt.
Q: Is this the same as an official Auchentoshan bottling?
A: No. This is Cadenhead's selection, bottled at 46 percent without chill filtration or added colouring, which is higher strength and less processed than the distillery's standard releases.
Q: What is the Original Collection?
A: Cadenhead's range bottled at a consistent 46 percent, non chill filtered and natural colour, with the label listing distillery, age and cask type only.
Q: Is it related to Springbank?
A: Cadenhead is owned by J & A Mitchell, the same Campbeltown family firm that owns Springbank, though the whisky here is from Auchentoshan.
Q: Where can I buy the Cadenhead Auchentoshan 11 Year online?
A: Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
