Flora and Fauna is Diageo’s official bottling series for their distilleries that predominantly go into blends or are found in independent bottling. After the Linkwood, our Whisky Ladies Euro chapter cracked open an Auchroisk. What did we think?
Auchroisk 10 year 43%
- Nose – Cherry wood, cooked cherries, caramelized toasted nuts, candy apple… as it opened up more such aromas were joined by coffee, some tannins, spicier with hints of mulberry
- Palate – Ahh… it does indeed have good body, some cinnamon spice, a bit of cherry cola quality and again those tannins from the nose come are on the palate too
- Finish – A slightly smokey aftertaste that lingers
Just from the aromas alone there was a sense of body and substance which fully came through on the palate. Of the three Flora and Fauna whiskies we sampled together, this was the favourite for its character and interplay of elements.
We set it aside and revisited after sampling the Inchgower… any change?
If anything, even more interesting! This time we found strawberry sweet, some milk chocolate and salty caramel. Delicious.
What do the folks at Diageo have to say?
An apéritif malt whisky, pleasant and light, which opens sweet, fresh and balanced then dries to a short finish. Doughy and buttery on the palate. This textured single malt whisky displays hints of lemon and pineapple with a slight aniseed and smokey finish.
- Appearance – Pale gold.
- Body – Smooth, with a light to medium body.
- Nose – A mild nose for its strength. Sweet and fresh. Ground almonds are immediately apparent, even dry marzipan. Acetone. Some dark chocolate behind (this develops towards milk chocolate). Becomes nuttier all the time. With water, opens up: fresh and estery. Acetone, cooked pears, solvent. A light oily-fatty note behind, possibly nut oil. Nuttiness still apparent. Also a very light char in the back. Becomes more cereal-like – soggy Shreddies – and more ‘boney.’ Not so clean.
- Palate – Takes a fair amount of water. Light and fresh; pleasant mouthfeel. Sweetish start, some acidity.
- Finish – Surprisingly dry, fairly short – all well balanced.
Curious about other experiences with Auchriosk? Read on…
- Auchroisk 12 year 47.9%, Batch 7 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
- Auchroisk 13 year (Feb 2006 / June 2019) Oloroso Sherry Hogshead 51.2% (North Star)
- Auchroisk 17 year (1996/2014) 46% (G&MP)
- Auchroisk 20 year 46% (Duthies)
What else did we sample in our foray into Diageo’s Flora and Fauna range?
- Teaninich 10 year 43%
- Mannochmore 12 year 43%
- Strathmill 12 year 43%
- Linkwood 12 year 43%
- Inchgower 14 year 43%
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