Auchroisk, pronounced “Orth-rusk,” is a distinctive distillery known for producing a “nutty-spicy” character, a result of its unique production methods. The heavy character of its whisky is achieved through rapid mashing, quick fermentation, and a fast boiling regime in the wash stills that almost cooks the solids, allowing a controlled carryover of some solids. This creates a signature “singed” character in the new make, which shares similarities with Blair Athol distillery, though this intense flavor recedes with maturation, giving way to a balanced honeyed cereal sweetness.
Built in 1972, Auchroisk was part of a broader strategy by IDV (International Distillers & Vintners) to expand its portfolio of blended Scotch whiskies. The distillery’s modernist architecture, a stark white, harled structure on the moors, was symbolic of a new era for Scotch whisky production. Auchroisk was initially designed to support the production of J&B blended Scotch, joining Speyside distilleries like Glen Spey, Knockando, and Strathmill.
In 1986, Auchroisk was bottled as a single malt, making history as the first whisky to carry the “Singleton” name. This branding later became synonymous with single malts from Glen Ord, Glendullan, and Dufftown, although Auchroisk itself never gained significant market traction. Despite being highly regarded by critics, it never transitioned into a major brand, and the Singleton name was eventually dropped in 2001. Interestingly, Auchroisk was one of the first distilleries to use the “finishing” technique, where 10-year-old ex-Bourbon whisky was decanted into ex-Sherry casks for two additional years of maturation. This method was innovative at the time but was not widely promoted by IDV, allowing other distilleries like Balvenie and Glenmorangie to be credited as pioneers of the technique.
Despite its somewhat remote location, Auchroisk remains an important part of Diageo’s operations. The vast surrounding land has made it an ideal site for one of the company’s main northern warehousing complexes, ensuring its continued role in the production of blended Scotch whisky.
