Another cracker here from G&M; this 10yo Auchroisk has been matured in some fine ex-bourbon casks imparting a lovely sweetness and vanilla taste profile to the spirit. Phenomenal bang for buck at the price.
Good sherry notes and a very enjoyable dram
A pleasant malt but lacking the sweetness and sherry influence I expect from an oloroso cask. Harsh until well diluted with pure water
Nose: here is an unusual nose, with warm, chewy plastic, and age-old capsules that once contained saffron. Then, it is old, wide elastic bands, warm bicycle inner-tubes, jelly capsules -- it has a borderline-medicinal aura, thanks to that latter, -- and a spot of vegetal... something. Might it be spurge stems? Or daffodils in a vase of hot water? It triggers memories; tOMoH has come across this sort of profiles before. But what was it? The more time passes, the more succulent plants rise: cactus, yuca, one crassula or another. Tilting the glass releases some freshness, somewhere between limoncello and salmiak. Against all prejudices, it is rather pleasant. The second nose confirms the saffron-capsule note, adds faded oilcloth, and a milk pot of gellified mocha custard. It has Bourbon-cream biscuit filling too, if one is on a mission to find that. Mouth: very thick at first, full of succulent-plant saps and leaves, it soon proves slightly bitter (dialled-down liquorice allsorts) and rooty-herbal (salmiak). Chewing reinforces a succulent-plant impression, more eucalyptus or laurel than anything much thicker. One may claim to distinguish chocolate, though that would be a stretch. The second sip sees Bourbon-cream spread that would be made out of almonds. Indeed, if it is sweet as a biscuit filling, it is unmistakably bitter too. Not unpleasantly so. Finish: here, on the other hand, we definitely have chocolate. Mint and chocolate lozenges of so specific a kind that I have to use the French word 'dragée' to describe it accurately. That hardened-sugar shell with a chocolate filling. It is neither powerful, nor big, yet it is a long finish that sticks to the tonsils and the uvula in particular. A little creamy, it dies like a chocolate mousse. The second gulp is very much in line. Creamier, probably. I doubt this has a high ABV; it merely tickles the tip of the tongue after three sips. Pleasant enough drop.
https://theoldmanofhuy.blogspot.com/2025/03/07032025-mystery-sample-3.html