Whisky Review/Tasting: Auchroisk Port Finish 15 years 1999 Morrison & MacKay

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Auchroisk Distillery, Scotland.
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Distillation and Maturation Process: Initially matured in bourbon hogsheads, then finished in a Port pipe from a bodega in the Douro Valley, Portugal (a UNESCO World Heritage site). The finishing period lasted for approximately three months and five days.
Age Statement: 15 years (vintage 1999).
ABV: 53.5% (cask strength).
Color: Exhibits a reddish tone, attributed to the red grape from the Port wine cask.
Clarity: Unchill-filtered and uncolored.
Bottle Design: Specific design details not mentioned, but it's a limited edition with only 180 bottles produced.

Balance of Flavors: Described as friendly, not overly intense, with a harmonious mix of malt, fruit, vanilla, and caramel.
Unique Characteristics: The whisky is noted for its softness and lack of sharpness or bitterness, despite its high ABV. The Port cask finish contributes to a fruity profile without overpowering tannins, thanks to the short finishing period.
Comparison: The reviewer compares it to another Auchroisk whisky, a 25-year-old original bottling, noting that this Port finish version is completely different.

Production Details: The whisky is a collaboration between Morrison & MacKay and Gillespie and partners, who purchased part of a cask for distribution in Europe. The narrative includes the process of creating hogsheads from bourbon barrels and the selection of a Port pipe for finishing.
Limited Edition: With only 180 bottles produced, the whisky is presented as a rare find, adding to its allure.

Port Pipe Origin: The Port cask comes from the Douro Valley in Portugal, emphasizing the whisky's international influence and the significance of cask selection in flavor development.

Horst Luening's Opinion: "Wonderful piece of work. I like that very much."
Rarity and Collectibility: "The chances that you are able to get this bottle somewhere is close to none... they should have found their lovers and the connoisseurs."

Auchroisk 15-year-old Port Finish is a limited edition single malt Scotch whisky, matured in bourbon hogsheads and finished in a Port pipe.
It features a friendly and balanced flavor profile with notes of malt, fruit, vanilla, and caramel, without any sharpness or bitterness.
The whisky is unchill-filtered and uncolored, with a reddish tone from the Port cask.
It is a rare collaboration between Morrison & MacKay and Gillespie and partners, with only 180 bottles produced.
The Port cask's origin from the Douro Valley adds a layer of cultural significance.
Horst Luening praises the whisky as a "wonderful piece of work" and highlights its rarity and collectibility.

Whisky Collectors: Given its limited production and unique story, collectors would be particularly interested in acquiring a bottle.
Fans of Port Cask Finishes: Those who enjoy the influence of Port casks on whisky will appreciate the subtle, fruity complexity this whisky offers.
Experienced Whisky Enthusiasts: The nuanced flavor profile and the high ABV make it a compelling choice for seasoned drinkers looking for something distinctive.
Beginners with a Curiosity for Cask Finishes: Newcomers interested in exploring the impact of different cask finishes might find this whisky an intriguing example, though its rarity and price may be limiting factors.