DISCLAIMER: This review is for the 11 year old from Exclusive Malts, not the 10 year Flora and Fauna. Stop number 53 on the SDT is Auchroisk. This Speyside distillery is relatively young having been established in 1972 with production starting in 1974. It’s primary purpose is to provide blending components for J&B Rare. It went through a few name changes in its short lifetime. From Auchroisk, to The Singleton, back to Auchroisk, then to The Singleton of Auchroisk, then back to Auchroisk. The name means shallow ford across the red stream in Gaelic. This 11 year old (distilled in 2003, bottled in 2015) comes by way of the independent bottlers at Exclusive Malts. It’s from a single refill sherry cask (cask #6), is one of only 269 bottles released, and bottled at cask strength of 56.4% ABV. It’s a natural color of dark copper and I suspect it is non chill filtered. Spicy oak and warm sherry fill the nose and immediately suggests a powerful palate to follow. Salty, minerals, and earthy. Intense vanilla and toffee, a huge sherry nose. Brown sugar, heavy barrel char, tobacco. Sweet syrup, nutmeg, clove and cinnamon. Herbal, black tea, chalky dry clay and slightly minty. Fruity, but in a very generalized way. Stone fruits mostly but the higher ABV blocked any hope of discerning them further. I dare not add any water because it is perfect as is. A strange pencil eraser note showed up for a moment after I let it sit covered up, but it was gone soon enough. A superb nose, truly. Hot sherry on the palate, as I predicted upon first nosing. Wonderful oak, barrel char, charcoal and tobacco. Sweet syrup, grilled stone fruits, seems to be plums and cherries mostly. Mineral notes, salty, earthy and black tea. Powerful, but again I dare not add water in fear of ruining the only 2 oz I may ever have of this wonderful scotch. Full bodied mouthfeel, oily, mouthwatering, hot but not even close to the worst I’ve experienced. A long finish that is full of sherry, oak, tea and fruits. An incredible Speyside single malt, one of the best I’ve ever had. Intense flavors while still being approachable. Add water if you must, but a little may go a long way here. Another of the few examples (at least that I’ve tried) of a successful independent bottling of a single malt. A spicy sherry bomb that commands your respect. A real shame that only 269 bottles were ever released. If you like the style and happen across one, just buy it. A big thanks to @LeeEvolved for picking this one up for the tour. 4.5-4.75 rounded up to 5 for lack of half stars. Cheers