The Maclean foundation released a 34 year old Auchroisk to celebrate the brothers’ record-breaking Pacific Ocean crossing. It is the fourth bottling in a series of charity releases (check the Raasay 2019 for instance), with every bottle funding clean water in Madagascar. The charity has already raised £1 million so far.
The whisky comes from a single virgin oak cask donated by Diageo, selected by whisky expert Charles Maclean MBE.
Auchroisk 34 yo 1991 (44,5%, The Maclean Foundation 2025, virgin oak cask #572002, 248 btl.)
Nose: quite a curious but very aromatic profile. A lot of peppermint, scented candles with sage and pine, as well as faint hints of potpourri or women’s cream. There’s something oriental to it too, like sandalwood and whiffs of incense. Underneath there are light hints of peaches and oranges, along with almond paste and a hint of toffee.
Mouth: some tart fruitiness, getting sweeter after a while. Tinned peaches, some plums and pineapple. Hints of dough. Light waxy notes. Then some dried herbs, a lemony side and hints of walnut. Great sweet and sour balance. Still a very aromatic elements, with more dried flower petals or perhaps a hint of vineyard peach.
Finish: medium, with a candied edge, and these quirky notes that are half fruity, half fragrant.
This is a wicked cask but the result is excellent. Very interesting whisky and one of the most unique I’ve tried in a long time. Says someone who is weary of virgin oak. This Auchroisk is exclusively available from Royal Mile Whiskies.