🥃 Auchentoshan
Distillery and brand of Lowland single malt whisky near Glasgow, founded in 1823; triple distillation; owned by Suntory Global Spirits.
Auchentoshan is a distillery and single malt Scotch whisky brand in Dalmuir, near Clydebank, close to Glasgow. It was founded in 1823. According to Difford's Guide, it is the only Scottish distillery that triple distils all of its spirit. It now belongs to Suntory Global Spirits, which grew out of Beam Suntory.
History. The date 1823 is stable across sources. After that the owners changed: according to available data, in 1984 the distillery was bought by Stanley P. Morrison (later Morrison Bowmore), and in 1994 Suntory took over the whole company. Beam Suntory was formed in 2014, and the company has used the name Suntory Global Spirits only in recent years. Maturation and bottling take place in Springburn, Glasgow.
How it is made. There are three stills: wash, intermediate and spirit. The fresh spirit leaves the still at about 80–81% ABV, and before filling into casks it is diluted to around 63.4%. The malt is not peated, and gentle heat warms the stills with steam. The casks are mostly ex-American whisky, plus oloroso, Pedro Ximénez and wine casks.
Range. Three Wood combines three types of cask; there are also American Oak, 12 Year Old, 18 Year Old, 21 Year Old and special releases. Versions can differ in age and strength, so check the label.
Why this matters to you. Triple distillation gives a lighter, softer style than double distillation, but that does not mean a weaker drink: the strength is never below 40% ABV. Read the name of the version and the age: they are different products. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Year founded | 1823, Dalmuir, Clydebank near Glasgow |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890) (Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Lowland) |
| EU category | 2 — whisky (whisky/whiskey) |
| Raw material | unpeated barley malt |
| Distillation method | three times, three copper stills (wash, intermediate, spirit); spirit ≈ 80–81% ABV |
| Cask type | mostly ex-American whisky; oloroso, Pedro Ximénez, wine casks |
| Minimum maturation | at least 3 years in oak by law; versions — 12, 18, 21 years |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | at least 40% ABV by law |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Auchentoshan → kind of → 🥃 Whisky → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Previous step
- 🥃 Suntory Global Spirits
- Packed in
- 🍷 Sherry, 🍷 Oak barrel, 🥃 Ex-bourbon barrel
- Made from
- 🥃 Barley and malt in whisky
- What it contains
- 🧪 Water, 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 British
- Part of
- 🥃 Whisky, 🥃 Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Lowland whisky
- Related to
- 🌍 Western Europe
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Johnnie Walker, 🥃 Bladnoch
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Auchentoshan is the only triple-distilled distillery?
According to Difford's Guide, it is the only Scottish distillery that triple distils its entire output; others may do so in separate batches.
What does the third distillation do?
The spirit comes off stronger — about 80–81% ABV — and lighter in flavour; hence the “delicate” style.
Where is the distillery?
In Dalmuir, near Clydebank, close to Glasgow.
Who owns Auchentoshan?
Suntory Global Spirits; according to available data, Morrison Bowmore bought it in 1984 and Suntory in 1994.
What is Three Wood?
A version matured in three types of cask: ex-American whisky, oloroso and Pedro Ximénez.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden barrel of oak staves in which wine matures and breathes.
- 🍷 Sherry — Protected wine from the Jerez de la Frontera area of Andalusia, aged in oak casks in the solera system; 14 to 22 % alcohol.
- 🧪 Water — ~87% of milk.
Similar
🥃 Auchroisk · 🥃 Glengoyne · 🥃 Benrinnes · 🥃 Dailuaine · 🥃 Blair Athol · 🥃 Glenkinchie
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890), reg. 3: definition and categories of Scotch Whisky (Scotland, oak up to 700 l, min. 3 years, min. 40 % ABV)
- Difford's Guide: Auchentoshan Distillery (1823; triple distillation of all production; Dalmuir, Clydebank; Three Wood; 80-81 % new make)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks (OJ L 130, 17.5.2019), Annex I, category 2 (whisky/whiskey)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)