Auchroisk 27 Year Old 1990 (Cask #13827) - Signatory Cask Strength

I previously tried an Auchroisk that was 10 years old, a young, intense sherry bomb that I didn't enjoy. Seeing this older expression online, I decided to give the distillery another shot. This one was aged for 27 years in a refill sherry butt, distilled on August 15th, 1990, and bottled on July 25th, 2018, at 53.7% ABV. The aroma begins with a somewhat tart blend of crushed gooseberries, green grapes, and old, ashy oak, followed by raisins coated in dark chocolate cocoa powder. A zesty mix of grapefruit, lemon, and lime then emerges, leading to the scent of old books and weathered barn floors, accompanied by a strong alcohol presence. The taste has a thin texture, starting with a moderately tart combination of crushed gooseberries, green grapes, and ashy old oak, followed by prunes dusted with dark chocolate cocoa powder. This then gives way to a bright mix of grapefruit, lemon, and lime, transitioning to the aroma of old books and worn barn floors, with a significant alcohol burn. The finish is of medium length, featuring bitter, tart fruits like grapefruit, lemon, and lime, alongside ashy oak and chalky dark chocolate cocoa powder. This expression combines tart, citrusy fruits, a subtle sherry influence, and aged oak. It's thinner than I'd anticipate for a 53.7% ABV. I experimented with adding water to see if it would mellow the tart fruits, but their intensity remained the same regardless of the amount added. Ultimately, it's not a bad dram, but I've concluded that Auchroisk's character doesn't suit me, regardless of age.