Auchroisk 20 Years Old 1997

Auchroisk is a fairly new distillery in Speyside terms being established in 1972 and is very remote, allowing Diageo to utilise the space for extra warehousing. The name means a shallow ford across the red stream, which points at the significance of the water source. When production started in 1974, the promise of the distillate was noted. Originally intended for blends, Auchroisk has enjoyed sporadic single malt releases with those from 1970s being particularly well received. The bulk of its whisky is for blending, initially the J&B blend, but more recently Johnnie Walker. Its distinctive character comes from a decisive style of production involving rapid fermentation and quick distillation that reinforces its cereal-like qualities. The name itself has prompted difficulties over the years for consumers, with attempts at changing the name being variable. Currently, it is bottled under the Singleton brand along with several other lesser-known Diageo distilleries.