Auchroisk 13 year 2006 (North Star Spirits)

North Star Spirits tasting event, Sydney, February 21, 2020, Whisky #1 Nose: Sweetly fruity and floral, but not intensely so. A gentle aroma of red apple, apricot, cantaloupe, red berries, vanilla, and musk. There's a mildly oily quality to the nose, like tanned leather, and it also has an earthy note. As the dram rests and opens, there's a tiny hint of menthol in the background and a mild hint of sherry, but it's well contained. It's a little spirited, but not unpleasantly so - perhaps 'zesty' is a better description. Palate: A sweet and almost effervescent arrival with a crisp, fresh cereal quality mellowed by a slight buttery note. As it develops, the sherry cask becomes a bit more apparent with some dried fruits appearing along with sweet malt. The texture is lively but rich. Finish: Medium. Sweet malty and fruit notes that fade into a gentle aftertaste. For oloroso cask maturation, this is surprisingly similar to an ex-bourbon cask, and I would believe you if you claimed it was bourbon aged for 12 years with a moderate sherry finish. The fortified wine is very much in the background, providing a subtle structure, and it's not a sherry bomb at all. Excellent - precisely how I like it! The nose is fragrant and full, and the palate is polite and very welcoming. There's something about this expression that brings Bruichladdich Classic Laddie to mind - it has that same fragrant/floral red-wine cask character. The nose is a touch spirited, but a tiny bit of water (just a few drops) completely resolves this. As I revisited this dram throughout the night, it became progressively less impressive, but that was only because it was being compared to some outstanding old whiskies. Considered on its own merits, it's a truly enjoyable teenage Scotch that showcases all the best aspects of this dependable Diageo malt that you don't find in the official Flora & Fauna bottling. This is a remarkably good single cask release and it's fairly priced. I purchased a bottle that evening. "Good": 83/100 (3.5 stars)

A slight bite with a lingering aftertaste.