Auchroisk 30 years old Diageo Special Release 54.7% 1982

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Serge Valentin (85)

One of Diageo's new special releases
Colour: pale amber.

Nose: it’s much more on the honey and nuts side after the Tomintouls, more candied, rounded yet powerful, although some parts are similar, especially the very nice notes of citrus fruits. Well rather the marmalades made thereof. Other than that, we have whiffs of rich beer (ale?), well-roasted mal and just a little cumin, while the whole becomes farmier and farmier, between beef stock and ‘clean’ manure. Lots happening in this one. With water: becomes very grassy. Cut cactus, branches, roots, butter and a little dairy cream. Mashed potatoes, more and more (and more).

Mouth (neat): starts all on some kind of honey-glazed orange cake, quite rich and really mouth-coating. Goes on with more marmalade, these touches of cumin again, roasted cashews and then quite some mead instead of the beer. With water: same notes, just a little rounder.

Finish: long, spicier as almost always. Much more malt as well, chocolate, toffee… The European oak talks more and more.

Comments: it’s no an easy one to grasp, it’s very excellent whisky and I'm sure many will love it, it’s just not very ‘defined’, if I may say so, or rather a little indistinct or vague. I know what I’m trying to say…