Auchroisk 38 Year SMWS 95.39 “Indian summer in a Japanese garden”
Whisky : Auchroisk 38 Year SMWS 95.39 “Indian summer in a Japanese garden”
Country/Region : Scotland/Speyside
ABV : 53%
Cask : Refill Sherry Butt
Age : 38 Year (Distilled 15 Jan. 1982)
Nose : Fruit, wood, and gardens. Green and floral with hints of gardenia, vanilla, rosebuds, and sandalwood. The longer the dram sat, the fruitier it became as tangerines, blue pineapple syrup, and guava joined with herbal green tobacco.
Palate : Mellow and light with wood, fruit, and pastries. Initially quite herbal and green with tobacco, black tea leaves, and dried orange rind. A gentle astringency took hold with persimmon and haw flakes while a few drops of water brought out sweet tangerine, raspberry, and shortbread cookies.
Finish : Lingering citrus rind and tea.
Score : 7
Mental Image : Tea Time Transformation
Notes : Old, gentle, and subtle— this was unlike any Auchroisk I had tried before. I found little of the cream and butter that I think of as a hallmark of the distillery; instead, this was light and herbal. After nearly four decades in the cask, it retained a lot of delicious fruit. Though it was a bit astringent at times, it was not over-oaked, and the drying quality complimented the impression of persimmons.
Despite its age and gentle abv, I found that a few drops of water measurably improved the profile and experience. Water pulled out richer fruit notes along with a delicious pastry that held on through the finish. Typically with an approachable and mild dram like this, I would not even think to add water; it was a happy accident that I added a few drops— it gave this a richness and vibrancy that seemed to unlock the whole experience.
Overall, I am quickly getting to the age when it is tough to find drams my age or older, so it was a real treat to try something right on the borderline. While this experience has not totally changed my mind about Auchroisk— I still think most of the bottles I have tried were a bit boring and likely better as a blending component— it was easily one of the best I have tried from the distillery.