Auchroisk 20 Year Old 1989 Blackadder Raw Cask

The Raw Cask series from Blackadder is known for three things. First, there is always a bit of cask residue in the bottle that should make you believe it came straight from the cask. Second, it’s always a single cask release and third, at cask strength. Only the first is a bit of a marketing trick, because the whisky is of course filtered before being bottled. The ‘little black fish’ are simply added again. Anyway, this 20 years old Auchroisk was bottled ten years ago at a whopping 61.8% ABV, indicating that it was not reduced to the standard 63.5% when going into the cask.

Sweet and very aromatic nose on almonds, grass, citrus fruit and raisins. Pineapple cubes and some menthol. A touch umami, but I cannot quite pinpoint it. Pleasant, despite the high ABV. The nose is not troubled by it.

It is a kick to the teeth, though. Very herbal and grassy. Piquant on ginger, white pepper and camphor, while the fruit evolves from white to yellow with some sultanas and roasted almonds in the mix. Grand development, I must say. Woodsmoke gives it some depth, while the tannins slowly dry the mouth.

The finish, on more almonds and citrus fruit, last for a long time.

A great expression of this noble unknown Speysider, but alas sold out everywhere.

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