We’ve got two Scotch Whisky Reviews for you, both as part of the Exclusive Malts range.
The whiskies are Dailuaine and Auchroisk. Two not-so-commonly bottled distillery single casks (both distilleries are Diageo-owned distilleries, btw)…
Today we’re going to go right into the tasting notes.
Let’ see what we have in store, people!
Dailuaine 21yo – Speyside region – 51% ABV – $138
On the nose — A bit prickly on the nose and smells about 13 years younger than the age statement states.
It is, however, quite bourbon-y smelling and most assuredly spicy with two scents that hit me from nowhere: water chestnuts and unsweetened, uncinnimoned apple sauce. In other words, aside from the spice, it’s a bit light in scent to start.
Leather shoes (new), pineapple and mango (unripe). The tropical fruits are nice here and play well with the spice element.
On the mouth — Massive spice and this one is screaming “Hey!! I’m a Dailuaine just without the sherry maturation you’re used to, Yossi!” I’m sure there are plenty of other ex-bourbon Dailuaine bottlings out there but this is my first. Nice to see that the spirit character remains.
Oily yet effervescent mouthfeel. Silly putty and vinyl capes from my Jawa action figures from my old Star Wars action figure collection. No lie. It’s that specific a note. If only I kept that figure in the original packaging…
Peppery with orange and pineapple syrup from fruit cups. Leather (again) and fresh, unburnt pipe tobacco.
Finish — Lasting and lovely. Peppery and polished.
In sum — A decent offering for a Dailuaine. Not my favorite as I prefer the sherried Dailuaines but this one tells a story from beginning to end and could surely hold it’s own from a flavor and balance standpoint.
This is an early spring dram. It has a hopeful feel to me.
Auchroisk 17yo – Speyside region – 55.6% ABV – $???
On the nose — Boy-oh-boy, why the sour puss, Sourpuss?
Quite sour in scent but with hints of chocolate covered orange rinds sitting ‘neath said sourness.
Winter ski gloves after a full day of skiing. Hey, my notes are getting quite specific today!
Rubber dish gloves and a touch of soap (in a good way. Remember, I dig mild soap notes and this is *mild*). These notes are offset by fresh and dried papaya and some persimmon. Wow, yum!
An unusual nose but inviting, methinks.
On the mouth — ¡Holy frijoles! It gets all sorts of wacky here. Very rye-whiskey-like with dill and seeded rye toast (dry, as it were). Very woody but woody good, like rye or bourbon, not woody bad like whisky gone old and dried out/astringent. This is far from astringent.
I have to put it out there that the nose is off balance from the mouth but the flavor profile is insanely unique and delicious so it sort of makes up for being off balance.
New charred oak (the smell of the inside of a freshly drained ex-bourbon cask), vanilla and banana chips. Orange Tang drink (having nothing to do with Taang!, mind you).
Finish — Finishes with banana chips and a distinct note of what some college students described to me as a “hash pipe.”
Oh, those students!!
In sum — Well, I’m pretty much in love with the flavor profile on this whisky. It noses OK, too. This is a conversation piece. You and some friends can have a lot of fun with this one!
Probably best when part of a tasting. Be warned, it will likely dominate the conversation…
Special thanks to the especially nice people from ImpEx for the samples!