1990 Berrys' Own Selection Auchroisk, Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 46.0%

Auchroisk Distillery, Speyside

Younger than many of Scotland’s distilleries, the distillery was built in 1973 to satisfy the demand of the blended whisky industry, which at the time was growing at a fast pace. The stills produced their first alcohol in 1974.

The original single malt produced by this distillery was called The Singleton, with the first bottling dating from 1986. In 2001 the name Singleton was abandoned and Auchroisk 10 10-Year-Old Flora & Fauna was launched.

The distillery has been awarded several architecture prizes and its whisky has also won several distinctions. Only 10% of the production is sold as single malt, the remaining being used in blends, especially in the well-known J&B. Despite this, some impressive older bottlings have been released, with a 30-year old from 1982, a 25-year-old from 1990 and, most recently, a 47-year old from 1974 being released.

(Adapted from the Malt Whisky Yearbook 2024)

Speyside Whisky

To some Speyside represents the jewel in whisky’s crown. Speyside is the home of legal whisky production and it’s best known examples. Around the world Glenlivet, Macallan, Glenfiddich, Glenrothes and Glenfarclas typify all that whisky, at it’s best has to offer. At it’s heart running from the Monadhliath mountains north to the sea, is the River Spey. It is the fastest flowing river in Britain, and also well known for its salmon fishing.

Speyside is the principal whisky-producing region: Speyside has within it some forty-six operating distilleries - over half the total number in the entire Scotland.

Speysides are essentially sweet whiskies. They have little peaty character They are typically highly perfumed, feminine and elegant.

The classical nature of Speyside’s malts means that a number of the finest malts are used almost exclusively for blending. It is the top Speysider’s that give good blends their ‘Top Dressing’. 

Malts such as Mortlach, Glen Elgin, Strathmill and Benrinnes are rarely found as distillery bottlings, however when individual casks are tracked down by independent bottlers such as our Own Selection Single Malt Whiskies the resultant whisky can be quite wonderful.