Auchroisk The Boutique-y Whisky Company - Batch 7

I know almost nothing about Auchroisk, other that it is in Banffshire and a lot of what the distillery produces goes into the J&B blends. So when the LCBO dropped its price on the 2019 advent calendar by about 50%, the fact that this untried (by me) distillery was a part of it helped to persuade me to buy it.

This expression, tasted in a Brilliant Highland whisky glass, is reviewed in my usual manner, allowing it to settle after which I take my nosing and tasting notes, followed by the addition of a few drops of water, waiting, then nosing and tasting.

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Nose: 20/25

Fruity and sweet, with a spicy core. Something vegetal, but not unpleasant, though that seems to overshadow the fruitiness as time goes by. A little stale dust, if that is a thing. I get hints of some sort of red apple. With water the apple comes forward again, along with a fruit syrup note. (21/25)

Taste: 19/25

The first sip is overwhelming. A lot going on, not all of it welcome. My tastebuds are overwhelmed with spirit/alcohol. Some fruit. Spiciness, and something vegetal (the not welcome part). Let’s try a second sip: Peppery, sour, not very sweet. Water sweetens this a bit and tones down the pepper a little. (19.5/25)

Finish: 20/25

Astringent, peppery finish. It lasts quite a while, but it isn’t something I particularly wanted to last a while. Water tones down and shortens the finish. (20.5/25)

Balance: 19/25

A bit too peppery. The nose and the palate are not really speaking for one another. Water improves the overall experience a little.. (19.5/25)

Score: Neat - 78 /100 With Water: 80.5/100

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With water this is drinkable, but it’s not clean. There are a few (not many) nice aspects but it is a spirity bitter whisky that tastes like the cask was a little off and if it were not it probably could have spent a few more years maturing for better results.

I would not be picking this up and for certain, if this is a representation of the distillery, I will be wary in the future.

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