Auchentoshan distillery facts for kids
| Region: Lowland | |
|---|---|
| Location | Dalmuir |
| Owner | Morrison Bowmore Distillers |
| Founded | 1823 |
| Status | Operational |
| Water source | Loch Katrine (Production) & Loch Cochno (Cooling) |
| No. of stills | 1 wash still 1 middle still 1 spirit still |
| Capacity | 1,800,000 litres |
| Website | http://www.auchentoshan.com/ |
| Auchentoshan Single Malt | |
| Type | Single malt |
| Age(s) | 12 Years 18 Years 21 Years |
| Cask type(s) | 80% refill 20% First fill sherry wood |
| ABV | 40% – 43% |
| Auchentoshan Classic | |
| Type | Single malt |
| Cask type(s) | 1st Fill Bourbon Cask |
| ABV | 40% |
| Three Wood | |
| Type | Single Malt |
| Cask type(s) | 10 Years matured in American Bourbon with 1 year Oloroso finish and then 1 year Pedro Ximenez finish |
| ABV | 43% |
The Auchentoshan distillery (pronounced OKH-ən-TOSH-ən) is a place in western Scotland where a special type of Scottish spirit called single malt whisky is made. The name Auchentoshan comes from the Gaelic words Achadh an Oisein, which mean "corner of the field."
This distillery is sometimes called "Glasgow's Malt Whisky." This is because it is very close to the city of Glasgow. People also call it "the breakfast whisky" because of its light and sweet taste. Auchentoshan is located at the bottom of the Kilpatrick Hills. It is just outside Clydebank in West Dunbartonshire, near the Erskine Bridge. It is one of only six distilleries that make malt whisky in the Scottish Lowlands.
Contents
The History of Auchentoshan Distillery
When Was Auchentoshan Built?
The Auchentoshan distillery was first built in the year 1800. Over the years, it was owned by different people. In 1969, a person named Eadie Cairns bought it. He then completely rebuilt the distillery.
Who Owns Auchentoshan Now?
In 1984, Eadie Cairns sold Auchentoshan to a company called Morrison Bowmore Distillers. Later, in 1989, a Japanese company named Suntory invested money in Morrison Bowmore. By 1994, Suntory owned all of Morrison Bowmore.
In May 2014, two big companies, Beam Inc. and Suntory Holdings Limited, joined together. They formed a new company called Beam Suntory Inc. This new company now owns Auchentoshan and other distilleries that were part of Morrison Bowmore.
How Auchentoshan Whisky Is Made
What Makes Auchentoshan Special?
Auchentoshan uses a unique method for making its whisky. Most Scottish distilleries make whisky by distilling the liquid two times. But Auchentoshan does something different: it uses a process called triple distillation.
The Triple Distillation Process
In triple distillation, the liquid goes through three copper stills instead of two. The first still is called the "wash still." The second is the "intermediate still." The third is the "spirit still." This extra step helps to make the final spirit very strong. It reaches about 81% ABV.
This triple distillation, along with using malt that has not been smoked (unpeated malt), gives Auchentoshan whisky a very light and sweet taste. This taste is often more delicate than many other types of Scotch whiskies.
How Auchentoshan Whisky Is Aged
After distillation, the spirit is put into special wooden barrels to age. Most Auchentoshan whiskies are aged in barrels that used to hold bourbon (a type of American whiskey). Some are also aged in barrels that held sherry (a type of Spanish wine). Occasionally, some Auchentoshan whiskies are aged in French wine casks.
Special Releases and Visitor Centre
From time to time, the distillery releases very special bottles of whisky. One of the oldest was a 50-year-old Auchentoshan. It was made in 1957 and released in 2008.
The distillery also has a visitor centre and meeting rooms. These were finished in 2005. The distillery is open to the public every day for tours. Visitors can learn how the whisky is made.
Images for kids
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The Fermentation Tanks
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The copper pot stills
