Auchentoshan Three Wood Paired with an EO 601 Green (Oscuro) Cigar and Chuao's Morocho Bonbon

The enchanted Lowlands is an area in Scotland of wistful castle ruins strewn across rich and unending farmlands.  It is home to Saint Andrews and the birthplace of golf.  Residents hold dear the significant literary legacies of Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott.  And while Scotland's chief cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh contain some of the best whisky pubs and scotch stores, single malt distilleries in the region have almost become extinct.  Stills across the land fell silent as eleven of the thirteen prominent producers became victims of market problems of the 1990's. 

But something exciting is happening today in the Lowlands.  Beginning with the return to production of Bladnoch in 2001, rejuvenation continues with the birth of four new distillers in the last six years.  While their single malts are still just a "promise of greatness", these distilleries are breathing new life into a neglected region.  Alisa Bay in Ayrshire, is already actively producing for the blended brands of parent William Grant & Sons.  We can only hope that WM Grant will eventually see its way to market a new single malt from this facility.  Annandale Distillery's site in Dumfries has proceeded with major construction and hopes to be producing its first new make by 2011.  Daftmill, the micro-distillery in the Heart of Fife, is close to its much anticipated first release. Falkirk Disilleries broke ground last fall on a building compound that will be as much a production facility as tourist destination.  Falkirk is rumored to aspire to create a "Rosebank-like" flavor profile for its spirit, which unfortunately will not be tasted for at least another decade to come.  No matter the timing, these developments are welcomed in a region that deserves to be restored to some semblance of its former glory.

The Lowlands have both a geographical boundary and a distinct flavor profile.  The aforementioned rich farmlands have for centuries been host to all manner of grass and grain.  This rich topography contributes rather dry grassy or herbal notes to its malts versus the sweet floral flavors of the Highlands.  A lighter, fresher palate is attributed to large pot stills and the abundance of coal for kilns, meaning peat is used infrequently.  Only two distilleries in the Lowlands have survived without interruption.  They are Auchentoshan and Glenkinchie.

Auchentoshan is located west of Glasgow, at the foot of the Kilpatrick Hills near the River Clyde and Erskine Bridge.  Currently part of the Morrison Bowmore portfolio that includes Bowmore and Glen Garioch, it passed through several ownership hands since first receiving its license in 1823.  While triple distillation was once synonymous with the Lowland region, today Auchentoshan has the distinction of being one of the few Scottish distilleries still practicing this tradition. Triple distillation produces an extremely pure, high-strength new make spirit, which matures well without being overwhelmed by oak during the aging process. 

While the Auchentoshan Three Wood is a lowland single malt, this expression is a definite departure from the typical light grassy flavor profile. Matured in three different types of casks - American Bourbon, Spanish Oloroso Sherry, and Pedro Ximenez Sherry, the whisky is much more full and robust than a typical lowland malt. On the nose it is orange liqueur, with spice, wood and tobacco. The first taste is a spicy, soft mouth feel that gives up a lot of sherry. Then it turns fudgey, bringing notes of toffee and nuts along with more orange peel. A faint floral note can be detected before the cassis, or licorice, carries through to the finish. (Click on the picture to purchase.)

The fudgy and raisiny Morocho from Chuao Chocolatiers makes it the perfect chocolate to scotch pairing.  This bonbon has a layer of hazelnut praline that mimics the roasted nut notes in the dram, as well as providing a slightly gristy texture to the confection.  A touch of Calvados in this treats accounts for the raisiny fruity flavor that plays well to the cassis like flavors at the finish of this dram. The overall richness of this delight is well suited to such a complex and luxurious spirit.  (Click on the picture to purchase.)

Due to the bold flavor profile of the single malt, we searched for a cigar that would pair well and not be overcome by the malt. So naturally we looked to the master of strong, flavorful cigars ... Don "Pepin" Garcia. (But you already guessed that didn't you.)

Now Don Pepin does produce his own line of cigars which we have featured before. (See the 10/2010 pairing.) But Pepin also blends for many other well known companies such as United Tobacco / EO. His line of four different blends for EO under the 601 label are fabulous cigars; Black, Red, Blue & Green, and all feature aged Nicaraguan tobaccos surrounded by different wrappers. The 601 Green is our selection this month due to its mouth watering Habano Oscuro wrapper and a flavor profile that matches the Auchentoshan perfectly.  (Click on the picture to purchase.)

This dark, oily, complex little beauty will keep you entertained for at least 90 minutes. The flavor transitions are very discernable, and the balance is incredible. Initially beginning with peppery spice, as many Pepin cigars do, the EO 601 Oscuro fades into chocolate, coffee and hazelnut flavors that are amazingly rich. From there the cigar offers up leather and earthy notes, still maintaining a light (or dark) underlying sweetness. A grand finish of these flavors merging with an overnote of spice is just fabulous. All the while the 601 Oscuro stays smooth, never harsh, yet full flavored.  The heartiness of this cigar allows it to match anything from coffee to rum to whisky.

So - add in a single malt that has bold flavors of its own, and the pairing really begins. On the initial pepper and spice, the Three Wood matches that note with a spiciness, while the sherried flavors perform the backbeat.  When the cigar moves into its chocolate, coffee and nut phase, the single malt is right there with toffee, fudge and nuts. And for the finale - licorice, spice, and earthy notes all combine into some crazy symphony in your mouth. OK, OK we got carried away!  But it is pretty tasty and a very enjoyable combination. Even if you are not into strong cigars, put the EO 601 Oscuro on your list to try, and get some Auchentoshan Three Wood to go with it!    

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