SMWS Distillery 5 Rare Release Lime and Thyme Auchentoshan 2003 18 Year Old

SMWS “Lime and Thyme” is an 18-year-old Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Auchentoshan Distillery, released as the Society’s Distillery 5 Rare Release for the 2022 Lowland Whisky Festival. Distilled on 27 January 2003, this triple-distilled whisky matured in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels before being bottled at 55.8% ABV. Limited to 930 bottles, it showcases Auchentoshan’s elegant style through fresh florals, tropical fruit, coconut, citrus, sweet malt and lively ginger spice.

Food Pairing: Pair with lemon or lime cake, banana bread, buttered oatcakes, coconut desserts, melon and prosciutto, mild creamy cheeses or grilled seafood with fresh herbs.

Tasting Notes: Sweet, fruity and mellow, combining fresh flowers and tropical fruit with buttery cereal notes, coconut, ginger spice and a distinctive lime-and-thyme character.

Nose: Fresh spring grass, flowering lilies and honeysuckle with melon, mango, buttered toast, sultanas, banana chips and golden syrup.

Palate: Sweet tropical fruit juice and coconut water develop into peppery ginger spice, followed by citrus and herbal notes reminiscent of lime-and-thyme cake.

Finish: Fresh and elegant with lingering lime, herbs, tropical fruit, gentle ginger spice and bourbon-cask sweetness.

Serve: Enjoy neat initially, then add a few drops of water. Dilution reveals floral meadow notes, banana bread, buttered oatcakes, cantaloupe, peppermint and dessert-wine sweetness.