Auchroisk 2008 Aged 11 Years Single Malt Scotch Whisky – James Eadie (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 58.5%           Age: 11 Years            Country: Scotland

Cask Number(s): 814606
Date of Distilling: 29/09/2008
Date of Bottling: 2020
Matured In: a single ex-Bourbon Barrel then finished in a European Oak first fill ex-Oloroso Sherry Hogshead for 19 months
Un-Chillfiltered

James Eadie Ltd was founded by Rupert Patrick in 2016. Rupert is James Eadie’s great-great-grandson, who has held positions at Diageo, Beam and Ian Macleod Distillers. James Eadie founded a brewery in Burton-on-Trent in 1854, the same year he developed the Trade Mark X Scotch blend. The blend was extremely popular and was sold to Eadie’s chain of public houses throughout the 19th century. In 1933 James’s business was sold to Bass who continued producing the blend till 1947. The resurrection of the blend along with the structuring of the independent bottling company by Rupert means that James Eadie can be remembered again and his past work can be enjoyed once more. The James Eadie Independent bottling’s consist of cask strength selections from various Scottish distilleries. Each bottle describes the distillery, the abv and the date of distillation and bottling as well as the maturation technique.

The Auchroisk Distillery is situated in Banffshire, Speyside Scotland. The Distillery produces a heavy malt whisky made by rapid mashing, quick fermentation and rapid boiling distillation.  The new make recedes with maturation, being replaced by a balanced honeyed cereal sweetness.

This single malt whisky was distilled in 2008 at the Auchroisk distillery before being placed in a single ex Bourbon Hogshead and left to mature for about 9 years. It was then then finished in a European Oak first fill ex-Oloroso Sherry Hogshead for 19 months. In 2020 it was bottled at 58.5% abv as part of the James Eadie Independent bottling ‘Cask Finishes’ range. Only 268 bottles were produced.

Tasting Notes

Nose: A big dosage of umeboshi plums and kirsch liqueur at first is followed dark chocolate and raisin toast. Time in the glass brings brown sugar and golden syrup.

Palate: A powerful onset of freeze dried raspberries and cocoa dusted truffles. Water brought out more of the dried fruit characteristic and didn’t overwhelm this dram. Cola nut and dense timber broaden the spiciness from the already spicy Auchroisk spirit.

Finish: As the peppery oak subsides there is a lovely tang from the grapes left on the palate. Certainly not “winey” it’s definitely a fortified, muscat like flavour that remains and requests another sip… If you dare!