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Whisky Goodness

Cross-Cultural

AuchroiskSMWS 95.79

Producer: SMWS

February 16, 2026
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About This Whisky

Code

95.79

Distillery

Auchroisk

Name

Cross-Cultural

Producer

SMWS

Region

Speyside

Age

14 years

ABV

55.5%

Bottler Type

Independent

Category

Scotch

Flavor Profile

Deep, Rich & Dried Fruits

Nose

The whisky presents a rich and complex bouquet of caramelised brown sugar and vanilla pods, complemented by flambéed banana and dessert wine notes. Fir wood resins, myrtle and exotic hardwood oils form the aromatic foundation, with delicate chai tea and clove spiciness in the background. Water reveals additional layers of toasted oak, walnut whip, brandy snaps, treacle-spread brown bread, buttered fruit loaf and a dusting of paprika.

Palate

The neat palate is gently drying initially, displaying dried cranberry, gingerbread and chopped walnut notes, followed by cinnamon powder, clove, nutmeg and sandalwood. The addition of water brings out cough medicine and cherry liqueur characteristics, with simmering wood spices and rich herbal bitters gaining prominence, whilst walnut and bread notes persist in the aftertaste.

Finish

The finish is characterised by lingering wood spices and herbal complexity, with the sandalwood and cinnamon notes gradually receding to reveal subtle sweet and nutty undertones that echo through the aftertaste.

Overall Notes

A bountiful and deeply enticing nose bristled with brown sugar caramelising with vanilla pods, bananas flambéed with dessert wines, fir wood resins, myrtle and exotic hardwood oils. In the background, some delicate spiciness from chai tea and cloves. A little water revealed freshly toasted oak, walnut whip, brandy snaps and brown bread spread with treacle. Beyond that there was some buttered fruit loaf and a dusting of paprika. The neat palate was gently drying to begin with, featuring notes of dried cranberries, gingerbread and chopped walnuts, before cinnamon powder, more cloves, nutmeg and sandalwood. Water brought out cough medicines, cherry liqueur, simmering wood spices and rich herbal bitters, with more walnuts and bread notes in the aftertaste. This was matured for 10 years in a bourbon hogshead before being transferred to a first fill American oak PX hogshead.