Auchroisk 30 Year Old / Special Releases 2012

Auchroisk (pronounced ‘o-thrusjk’) is one of the lesser known distilleries, founded in 1974 to create bulk malt for the blenders with Justerini & Brooks as primary client. Luckily it is sometimes also bottled as single malt. This Auchroisk was presented in Diageo’s Special Release of 2012. It is one of the oldest – in terms of maturation – ever bottled. It is certainly the oldest that I ever tried.

Very aromatic and complex nose with on the one hand a truckload of fresh and juicy fruit – think banana, oranges, pears, red berries and green grapes – and on the other something waxy that reminds me of almond oil, freshly polished leather and scented candles. Lovely floral hint. Buttercups? Some coconut. With some imagination I even detect some woodsmoke, albeit all the way in the back. There is a lot going on here and it’s all good.

It is wonderfully oily and immediately sweet and sour with a lovely spiciness. The fruit is rather candied now, with something nutty that kicks in. The spices keep your mouth very warm. Lovely orange zest and a hint of dark chocolate. Pineapple cubes. A bit of liquorice and some chewing tobacco. This is delicious.

Wonderful, long, warm and drying finish with cloves and nutmeg at the death.

Auchroisk certainly surprised me in a very pleasant way with this beautiful release. It will set you back some 340 EUR though, but how enjoyable a malt. Thanks, Manny.

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