Whisky : Auchroisk 11 Year SMWS 95.29 “Tossing the bouquet”

Country/Region : Scotland/Speyside

ABV : 57.9%

Cask : Refill Ex-bourbon Hogshead

Age : 11 Years (Distilled 31 Oct. 2007)

Nose : Sweet tropical fruits and a creamy almost sour twang.  Overripe pineapples and cherimoya at the farmer’s market or old Dole Cannery.  The creamy side comes through as vanilla bean creme cheese frosting, butterscotch, grocery store sheet cake, and diner cheesecake.  Ginger ale and lemon drop candies cut through some of the thick frosting.

Palate : Sweet ginger desserts dominate the palate: ginger soda, ginger ale, pineapple ginger juice, citrus zest, and tonic water with a lemon wedge.  The ginger and lemon combine with faint herbal notes like a mildly astringent cough drop.  Cream comes through in the background as cream cheese or rich vanilla buttercream cake frosting.

Finish : Medium length slightly dry botanical gin and tonic along with some minty ginger ale.

Score : 5

Mental Image : Tropical Fruit Punch Wedding Cake

Something Better : Westland 2019 Summer Barley Series: Pilsen (similar pastry/frosting, more jam/fruit)

Something Similar : North British 30 Year; Dramfool (similar cream cheese cake frosting, less citrus)

Something Worse : Tomatin 12 Year SMWS 11.37 (similar cake/frosting, more white sugar, less fruit)

Notes :  This was a hard one for me to grade.  I actually thought it was pretty pleasant— the flavors were crisp, clear, and robust.  It was like a loyal dog enthusiastically greeting you at the front door with tail wagging.  Yet, I lean toward being a cat person.  Dogs are great and while I love a friendly dog, I prefer a friendly cat.  I really dig the introvert cat vibe of, ‘yo, let’s not talk or acknowledge each other, but I want to hang out near you.’  Oh of course there are exceptions— just like with sweet fruity single malts.  

This did not become cloyingly sweet or cross any major lines, so besides a bit of spirit and maybe a lack of real breadth to the flavor profile, there was nothing wrong here.  It just was not something I would personally buy— though I would be pleased as punch to accept a dram to drink. So if you love dogs— or you love bold sweet creamy tropical fruit and ginger notes— this dram might fit you better than it did me.