Auchentoshan celebrates Scotland’s World Cup return with a rare 28-year-old whisky

The World Cup is around the corner, and Scotland is in the mix. Auchentoshan has unveiled an exclusive 28-Year-Old single malt Scotch whisky crafted especially for the soccer world cup. It’s a limited release, so if you want to “score” a bottle, you’ll need to move fast.

Auchentoshan doesn’t often release very old bottlings. This time, though, they’ve chosen a whisky that’s pushing 30 years, tailor-made to mark the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

According to distillery manager Susan Williamson, there couldn’t have been a better moment to release it. She stresses that this launch is meant as a memorable way for whisky lovers and Scotland football fans to come together and celebrate. And the age is perfectly fitting, too.

The new Auchentoshan release marks a symbolic moment: 28 years since Scotland last appeared at the FIFA World Cup. The Auchentoshan 28-Year-Old is therefore not just an aged single malt, but a tribute to a national milestone.

Triple-distilled, the whisky was then matured in casks that previously held red wine. These were first-fill barrels, bringing generous richness. The cask influence is unmistakable.

The whisky shows a chestnut-brown hue and brims with fruity notes of raspberry, cranberry, green apple, and more. Tasting notes below:

Nose: spiced and fruity, with raspberry, stewed cranberry, baked green apple, ginger, spun sugar, toffee, mace, milk chocolate, vanilla ice cream, and freshly cut grass.Palate: raspberry compote, poached apricot, allspice, pink grapefruit, stewed cranberry, strawberry, gentle sweet oak, warming ginger, and vanilla.Finish: creamy vanilla, cinnamon, stewed cranberry, and sweet oak.

Each bottle is hand-filled straight from a first-fill ex-red wine barrique. Bottled at 49.1% ABV.

Visitors on the Origins Tour between 11 June and 19 July will be offered a complimentary dram of this 28-year-old single malt. If you want to buy a bottle, you’ll need to head to the distillery, where it’s available exclusively for £390.