Auchroisk 20 y.o.

58.1% abv

Score:  90.5/100

 

I quite like this one.  Auchroisk is a neat little malt from a ‘seldom seen’ distillery.  A relatively young distillery at that.  Auchroisk was founded in 1974, and has served primarily as blend fodder ever since, with the J&B Blended Scotch brand receiving the lion’s share, if what I’ve read is correct.

Here’s a malt that at first glance would appear to have a relatively easily pronouncable name.  The reality is, however, that sometimes ‘hooked on phonics’ just ain’t the way to go.  Though I’ve seen various conflicting ways to pronounce ‘Auchroisk’, it would seem ‘ah-thrusk’ or ‘arth-rusk’ would be closest.  Ummm…ok.  Damn Gaelic.  My favorite tongue (mind) twister of a language.

Call it what ye like though.  Either way…delicious.

Nose:  Malty.  Caramel cookies and butterscotch puddin’.  Biscuity.  Nutty notes.  Muted orange and tangerine.  Maybe peach.  Toasted marshmallow.  Vicks Vapo-rub.  Freshly painted walls.  Oh, man…the depth of balanced spice.  Thick, creamy and syrupy.  A pleasure to nose.

Palate:  Concentrated orange notes and cinnamon.  Like chewing on raw bread dough.  Baked pastry and maybe some raisin scones.  Mint.  Finish is long.  Keeps on keepin’ on.

This is a whisky of depth and complexity.  A hell of a dram that should have been packaged for the masses and have made its way into general release ages ago.

 

– Reviewed by:  Curt

– Photo:  Curt