Hepburn’s Choice – Auchroisk 9 Year Old (Red Wine Hogshead), 70cl
Brand: Hepburn’s Choice (Langside Distillers) | Category: Speyside Single Malt Scotch | ABV: 46% | Origin: Speyside, Scotland | Vol: 70cl
Cask Type: Red Wine Hogshead | Age Statement: 9 Years | Edition: Single Cask, Limited Bottling

Intro/Heritage:
Auchroisk isn’t your typical Speyside dram, bold, structured, and built to age and in this 9-year-old single cask release from Hepburn’s Choice, it gets a modern twist. Finished in a red wine hogshead and bottled at 46%, this expression bursts with berry brightness, spice, and youthful energy. It’s Speyside with a splash of red, lively, vivid, and delightfully different.

Tasting Profile:
Nose: Vibrant and punchy. Raspberry coulis, red currant, and clove leap from the glass, joined by malt biscuit, rose petal, and a touch of wine-soaked oak.
Palate: Juicy and energetic. Strawberry jam, stewed plum, cinnamon stick, and toasty barley swirl across a medium-bodied texture with a hint of tannic grip.
Finish: Tart and lingering. Red fruit acidity, cracked pepper, and gentle oak fade with a clean, wine-laced flourish.

Production Details:
Matured in traditional oak before being finished in a red wine-seasoned hogshead, this Auchroisk was bottled at 46% ABV without chill filtration or coloring. It’s a vivid example of how bold distillate and vibrant wood can play off each other with style.

Perfect For:
Drinkers seeking a punchier Speyside profile, fans of wine cask finishes, or those looking to add color and verve to their single malt rotation. A standout for tastings, pairing flights, or gifting something a little different.

Expert Notes:
Auchroisk’s spirit carries weight and structure, making it ideal for experimental finishes. This red wine cask adds juicy lift and spice without burying the malt, a well-executed balance of innovation and identity.

Customer Reviews:
🗨️ “Fruity, spicy, and totally unexpected. A Speyside standout.”
🗨️ “Love how the wine cask brings out the richness. Bright but not sweet.”
🗨️ “This is why I chase indie bottles — bold and beautifully offbeat.”

Interesting Fact:
Auchroisk (pronounced "Oth-rusk") was built in 1974 and is one of the younger distilleries in Speyside, known for producing a heavier-style malt that thrives under cask influence.

Serving Suggestions:
Serve slightly cool or neat to amplify its berry brightness. A splash of water softens the spice and brings out stewed fruit and herbal undertones. Pairs wonderfully with charcuterie, dark cherry desserts, or blue cheese.

Distillery Background:
Auchroisk might be unfamiliar to most, but its spirit has long been coveted in blends. Indie bottlings like this Hepburn’s Choice release peel back the curtain to reveal a whisky that’s bold, expressive, and surprisingly versatile, especially when paired with daring cask finishes.