Auchroisk 25 Year Old 51.2% - 2016 Release

A limited edition, Just 3,954 individually numbered bottles worldwide.

Natural cask strength single malt from Auchroisk, an active distillery on Speyside, rarely seen as a single malt. A third limited release in this series.

Interesting to compare with the 20 year old released in 2010 and the 30 year old released in 2012. From a mix of refill American Oak hogsheads & refill European Oak butts filled in 1990.

A fruity apéritifmalt, at its best with a little water; enjoyable at the start of an evening and indeed at other times too. Gloriously fresh and fruity, with a light body and good structure; the initially clean nose gives little hint of the spicy flavours of fruit that follow.

RRP is £280.00

Tasting notes...
Appearance: Amber gold. Long-legged beading.
Nose: Light and precise, soon growing in depth and complexity. Top notes of fresh, crisp, juicy fruit (orange peel, pear skin) are backed by fragrant almond oil. Later, leather and the merest suggestion of smoke. Water attractively increases the scented oil and brings up aniseed and fruit salad (tinned pears). Some late, faint smoke.
Body: Light to medium, oily.
Palate: Initially cool and sweet, with fresh acidity and a light smooth texture, then quickly hotter, with spicy fruit, as in a spiced fruit tea-cake. With a little water, slimmer, still cooling and not so sweet as the perfume grows and the heat reduces in favour of a softer spiciness. This descends into an attractive drier nuttiness, developing as dark chocolate, with hints of menthol and a grating of orange zest. Still fresh and well balanced, with a pleasing chewy texture.
Finish: Sustained and warming, with notes of liquorice and peppermint cordial, green pistachio, clove.

Distilled at Auchroisk Distillery.