Auchroisk 34yo 1991 Maclean Foundation Cask #572002

Auchroisk 34yo 1991 Maclean Foundation Cask #572002

Region: Speyside

ABV: 44.5%

Price: £349.00

Filled on the 15th August 1991 and matured for 34 years in a single virgin oak cask, this Auchroisk was bottled in 2025 for The Maclean Foundation. The cask was donated by Diageo and selected by Charles Maclean, with the release marking the Maclean brothers’ world record Pacific row and supporting clean water projects in Madagascar. Outturn of 248 bottles. 

Nose

Palate

The palate opens with an initial bit of sweet cinnamon spice, some candied ginger, red kola, sweet creme caramel with a torched sugar crust, and strawberry jam. It's a little spicier on the palate than the nose led us to believe, but it's flavourful spice, and doesn't detract from the experience. The finish is fairly long, lots of fudge, caramel and a little coconut too. The mouthfeel is good for the ABV - it's not the thickest but there's still some good texture here. There's some darker cocoa notes coming through as air gets into the glass, and some darker sugars begin to develop. 

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose hasn't changed too much, although we're finding it to be a little more metallic in nature, some more copper, alongside some grated ginger. It feels like some of the fruiter notes have been pushed into the background, and it's awoken more of the oak itself. It doesn't really feel like it needs the water anyway.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate maintains the structure and texture, again following on with some more oak flavours, a little more caramel and chocolate, backed up by menthol and a little glace cherry on the finish. It feels more wood forward, and a little less balanced with water - so we'd avoid adding any here.

Conclusion

We were skeptical at seeing 34 years in virgin oak, but it took us by surprise. Dangerously drinkable for a 34 year old malt, it's not overpowered by the virgin oak cask, instead it seems to have extracted a lot of the wood sugars and spice without pulling through lots of raw tannins - perhaps all of that time in cask has softened those. Very tasty.

Score: 8/10

Value

At £349, it’s not cheap and might be beyond some people’s whisky budget. But if you can afford it, it’s worth remembering that every purchase funds clean water access for a person in Madagascar for life. That’s more than fair. A bottle that lets you drink well and do good at the same time.

If you're interested in purchasing, you can find it here at Royal Mile Whiskies.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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