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By: Will Blakely | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 7/21/2023 | Send Email
It's no secret that I am a sucker for Auchroisk bottlings, and this example makes it pretty clear why. Though the texture is viscous and toothsome, the flavors are bright and summery. Get some air into this dram and you'll be rewarded with stewed peaches, Seville orange, and marmalade on brioche toast, dusted with cocoa. But wait- there's more! A second pass reveals coffee cake, ginger chews, apricot, minced nuts and honey. There's a healthy salinity at play, as with most Speyside Scotches, and that Auchroisk hallmark whipped frosting character abounds. A dash of water makes this a perfect summertime aperitif, softening and lengthening the profile, ultimately leading to peaches and cream and a delicate, sweet malt profile. Heather honey lingers on the finish, retaining a snappy spice and gorgeous texture. This is not the bold, brooding style that seems to be popular these days, but rather a fresh and friendly entry point for people looking to take the plunge into cask strength single malt. Get it while it lasts!
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By: Michael Pires | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 7/19/2023 | Send Email
Dried orange peel, cacao nibs, baking spice, and sweet barley on the nose. Smooth whisky with weight, oily-textured body, and minor sherry influence. Exceptional whiskey at a great price!
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By: Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 7/19/2023 | Send Email
Whoppers. At first blush this smells exactly like a chocolate malt ball. As you dive into it further it doesn't take long to tease out a sweet array of fruits ranging from Fuji apples to mandarins as well as a baked delights like a buttery flaky croissant and cinnamon laden scone. On the palate it has such a sweet cream profile it's hard to believe. It's a perfect combination between a refill sherry cask and this special Speysider. This cask is exemplary of what Auchroisk brings to blends and why it is so in demand in the behind the scenes market for Scotch. Every time I go back to this bottle I'm left slack jawed that we were able to get it into the US at all, let alone for the insane value price point we managed.
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By: Scott Beckerley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 6/16/2023 | Send Email
This bargain of a single malt has a very nose of roasted hazelnuts, butter, sherry wood (of course!) and spice. On the palate, very nutty, with bright spicy notes and very light peat. Super solid!
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By: Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 6/6/2023 | Send Email
This single cask is not only delicious but is also interesting and unique. The nose has sweet aromas but also dry grain-like undertones. In the mouth, this theme continues with an interaction of the above sweet malt and dry grain characteristics. With the addition of a little water the nose is more subtle and delicate. In the mouth, the sweet malt flavors become more pronounced and the dry grain like flavors more subtle.
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By: David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 6/6/2023 | Send Email
This pretty little Auchroisk going to be my summer whisky. We've had a few Auchroisks over the years, but few offers such balanced crispy clean malt and a rich creamy texture. It won't be that dark sherry some are after, but the old refill butt is still there and has done some really interesting things here. Plus the price is absolutely nuts considering where we see the market for high quality single cask Speyside single malt going. Here we go! The color is pale gold. I've let this one sit for 15 minutes before getting after it. On first nosing it's big crystal malt, dried golden raisins, mandarin peel, d'Anjou pear skin and nutmeg. It's got the tiniest little earthy funk in the background. On the palate, it's super thick and textural. Creamy and buttery both in flavor and texture. Hints barley tea, honey, chocolate biscuits and dried herbs. Lots more dried fruit and big spice on the finish reminding us that indeed this is a sherry butt. At 60% this guy is an obvious candidate for clean spring water. With water there's much more dried fruit character and fresh pear pulp. On the palate we add up front sweetness and a huge ginger note and now more chocolate too. The texture is the really impressive part. The finish founds out nicely bringing back more of the orchard fruit. It's just really drinkable, fun and fresh. Totally dig it vibrant little cask and it's inexpensive enough that you can through it around without much to worry about. Just don't forget some water. It absolutely loves that.
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