Auchroisk 10 Year Flora & Fauna

Preface: This review is for the 11-year-old Exclusive Malts bottling from Auchroisk, not the one currently listed. Well, the holiday season is finally over, and my wallet is still recovering. I've been working hard, putting in 50-65 hour weeks to manage the considerable whisky expenses I've incurred. So, it's time to start enjoying the fruits of my labor: Scotch whisky. This review covers an independent bottling from the Speyside distillery Auchroisk, which is pronounced 'Awth-Rusk.' I provided this bottle for a group of friends as we try to sample a whisky from every active Scottish distillery. We're a year into this endeavor, and the list of distilleries is shrinking while the bottles are becoming scarcer, harder to find, and more expensive. The Exclusive Malts released this 11-year-old at cask strength (56.4%). It's also naturally colored (a new penny copper) and unfiltered. It was produced in September 2003 and bottled in January 2015, with only 269 bottles in total. The aroma is strongly influenced by sherry and oak, with the alcohol content also noticeable. However, you can delve deeper and detect abundant berries, cinnamon, and a lovely vanilla sweetness. Despite its strength, it shows remarkable balance. The palate is incredibly savory! Cherries, apples, and cinnamon. It's like a fantastic cherry/apple pie hybrid, even evoking notes of the baked crust. The vanilla prevents any harshness I anticipated from the cask strength and young spirit, while also keeping excessive oak spice in check. The overall mouthfeel is also superb. It transitions from oily and coating to mouthwatering and then dry. This amazing progression continues to impress. Exceptionally well done. The finish is robust enough to satisfy serious whisky enthusiasts and American bourbon fans alike. There's no mistaking what you're drinking. The finish lingers extensively, playfully encouraging another large sip. And I mean a large sip; I found myself refilling my glass and treating it like a quick shot before forcing myself to slow down and savor the entire dram. This strongly reminds me of the superior batches of Aberlour A'Bunadh that I favor. They are bold, rich sherry bombs that can sneak up on you and leave you feeling rough the next day, but they are incredibly enjoyable while they last. This bottle cost me just under $100, but I believe it offers significant value, especially since A'Bunadh leaves you guessing. It even has an age statement! If you happen to see bottles of this lingering or gathering dust at your local store or bar, give it a try. It's outstanding. 4.5 stars. Enjoy, everyone.

Spicy oak and warm sherry fill the nose, immediately suggesting a robust palate. Salty, mineral, and earthy. Intense vanilla and toffee, with a powerful sherry aroma. Brown sugar, heavy barrel char, and tobacco. Sweet syrup, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Herbal, black tea, chalky dry clay, and a touch of mint. It's fruity, but in a general sense, mostly stone fruits, though the high alcohol content obscured further identification. I didn't dare add water as it's perfect as is. A peculiar pencil eraser note appeared briefly after covering it, but it vanished quickly. A truly superb nose. Hot sherry on the palate, as anticipated from the aroma. Wonderful oak, barrel char, charcoal, and tobacco. Sweet syrup, grilled stone fruits, seemingly plums and cherries primarily. Mineral notes, salty, earthy, and black tea. Powerful, but again, I hesitate to add water for fear of spoiling the small amount I have of this magnificent scotch. Full-bodied mouthfeel, oily, mouthwatering, and hot, though not the most intense I've encountered. A long finish full of sherry, oak, tea, and fruits. An incredible Speyside single malt, among the best I've ever tasted. Intense flavors yet still approachable. Add water if you must, but a small amount might be significant here. Another rare example of a successful independent bottling of a single malt. A spicy sherry bomb that commands respect. It's a shame only 269 bottles were ever released. If you appreciate this style and find one, purchase it. Many thanks to a friend for sharing this for the tasting.

Nose: Mildly malty, like oatmeal with a hint of lemon. More maltiness appears as it sits. Palate: A warm, sweet start, predominantly cereal. It develops with nutty, malty, and slightly salty notes, always maintaining a sweet cooked-cereal character. Its texture is a highlight, feeling silky rather than creamy or oily. Finish: Medium in length, with malt and sweetness. A subtle ginger spice is present, but the lasting impression is of ale. This whisky is very malt-focused, similar to a light ale. The aroma is quite subtle and requires resting time to become noticeable. It's incredibly easy to drink, with no burn and an almost watery palate. It's a pleasant, light dram for unwinding. Initially, I found it somewhat lacking, but I was surprised by how quickly I finished it and desired more. I tried a small sample and am now interested in finding a full bottle. The official tasting notes seem to differ from my experience. I found the palate to be soft and slightly sweet, not dry, spicy, or peppery. I also thought the palate was better than the nose, which is a bit reserved. "Above Average": 82/100 (3.25 stars)

Evening. Finished work late and opened this sample of the 11 year old from Exclusive Malts (not the 10 year as my fellow SDT members previously stated.) The main scent is sherry, wood dust, and the smell of earth after rain (thanks for that term). Sliced apples, cherries, cinnamon, subtle vanilla, grain. Personally, I thought water was necessary to bring out other tastes (or reduce the high alcohol content). Sweet and spicy on the tongue. Vanilla, caramel, chocolate. Grilled plums. A little salt and earth emerge at the end of the mouthfeel toward the conclusion. Unmixed, the intensity is sweeter (maple syrup) and packed with baking spice. I actually discovered it to be much richer and more vibrant without water. Concludes with fruitiness featuring plums, dark cherry, ginger, and a dash of cinnamon. Lingering and profound in the stone fruits. This has a somewhat distinct character. Salt, earthiness, and sweetness all combined. The high alcohol content is a welcome refreshment. A truly delightful drink. Quite an experience. Thanks to a friend. [90/100][Tasted: 2/23/18]

Auchroisk occasionally appears independently in Diageo's yearly limited releases, typically as a single malt aged over 20 years, and independent bottlers like Signatory also frequently release casks of Auchroisk. The distillery's main official bottling is this 10-year-old expression, which isn't commonly found at whiskey bars. My general impression of this scotch is that it possesses the fundamental flavors expected of a lightly sherried Highland whiskey: vanilla, honey, and apple, along with some cherry, baking spices, oak, and cereal. It surpasses Glenmorangie due to its well-balanced finish without any bitterness. Often, distilleries not renowned as single malts are used in blends for a reason, but it's surprising that Diageo doesn't utilize this one more.

Nose: Tart, with raisins and citrus, quite light. Palate: Light, featuring vanilla and raisins. Spiced wood. Caramel. Quite smooth and enveloping, but lacking standout qualities. Finish: Short but balanced, leaving a pleasant raisin flavor in the mouth. A fairly enjoyable product, but without any characteristic that elevates it above the average. Rating 3.75 ______________________________________________________ Nose: tart, raisins and citrus, quite light. Palate: light, with vanilla and raisins. Spiced wood. Caramel. Quite soft and enveloping, but without points of excellence. Finish: short but balanced, which leaves a pleasant raisin flavor in the mouth. A product of moderate enjoyment, but without any point that distances it from the average. Rating 3.75