I'm a fan of Lowland distilleries primarily because there are so few of them around. I'll admit, my experience with this region is rather limited and I use the Bladnoch 10 (which has set the bar very high and is among my go-to Scotches) as my reference point. So, when I was tempted with an opportunity to have a couple drams of the Auchentoshan American Oak, I figured, why the heck not? Immediately on the nose you get the Lowland characteristics of that subtle fruity-custard aroma. I was expecting a bit of butter, but citrus notes such as lemon and orange are more prevalent - not harsh by any means, but welcoming. On the palate, you'll immediately taste more of the citrus notes followed by some barley, potentially some woodiness, but then rounded out by light baking spices. The finish was a little disappointing due to its shortness, but I appreciate the coconut and sweetness that comes with it. Taking everything into account, it's a pretty average Scotch. This non-age stated whisky is bottled at 40% ABV. The individual notes don't really stand out, so you have to really work it to identify them. It definitely makes for very easy drinking and I've no complaints on the fact that it goes down smoothly, but the notes lack teeth. It's a great entry level Lowland whisky, but if you are more experienced in the world of spirits and have a developed palate, I recommend looking at Auchentoshan's other offerings - possibly the 18 or 21 year old. P.S. Happy Father's Day to all your whisky-loving pops out there! #DAD NOSE: Orange, lemon zest, vanilla bean, egg custard, coconut, light toffee PALATE: Orange peel, orchard fruits, peach, barley, light spice FINISH: Citrus, malt, coconut, light toffee Rating: 80/100 Grade: B- Not-too-bad - no major flaws, worth tasting.