Auchentoshan Three Wood

Score: 62

In the Auchentoshan lineup, Three Wood stands out—if only slightly. Matured in a trio of bourbon, Oloroso, and Pedro Ximénez casks, it aims for richness and complexity. Compared to American Oak and Blood Oak, it’s certainly more interesting. But that’s a low bar. The nose offers promise: dried fruits, toffee, and a touch of spice. The palate follows with sherry warmth and some dark sweetness. But the underlying spirit doesn’t quite cut the mustard. It lacks the density and weight needed to carry the robust sherry cask influence. The result feels stretched, like a thin canvas trying to hold heavy paint. It’s better than its siblings, yes. But in a tasting filled with bold, expressive drams, Three Wood still felt like it was playing dress-up. Pleasant, but not memorable. A whisky that gestures toward complexity without fully delivering it.