PR Aurora Whisky Essence 20 ml

PR Aurora Whisky Essence 20 ml

Aurora came about by accident. While we were working on an entirely different whisky essence, there was one sample in the line-up that did not do what it was supposed to – it resembled neither the model nor any other type of whisky we knew. What it did do was taste very, very good. Instead of pouring the sample away we set it aside, tasted it again the next day and realised we had something of our own on our hands.

The result is a whisky that does not try to be anything other than itself. It lacks the heavy smoke, the sweet corn and the dark oak that usually sort whisky into pigeonholes. Instead it is light, clean and cool in expression – like clear air early in the morning. The name Aurora, the light of dawn, seemed the obvious choice.

Colour & Appearance

In the glass Aurora is pale straw-yellow with a faint green-gold cast, clear and light in its movement. The look alone tells you that this is a whisky of the fresher kind.

Nose

The nose is clean and inviting. Pale malt and freshly milled grain lie at the base, and on top of them green apples, pear and a little white peach. The vanilla is soft and creamy more than sweet, and above it all hovers a cool note – like mint at a distance, juniper needles or the air after rain.

Palate

The palate is soft from the first moment, with no sharp corners. The light maltiness recalls white bread and oat biscuits, and the fruit follows the nose: crisp apple, pear and a hint of citrus. The vanilla spreads out towards the middle together with a little pale honey and almond. What makes Aurora special is the freshness – a cool, almost mineral purity that runs like a clear note through the whole flavour and makes the whisky unusually easy to drink. The oak shows only as a light, dry firmness in the background.

Finish

The finish is medium-long, clean and cool. Vanilla and pear linger for a while, then a light note of malt, and last of all the fresh sensation that makes you glad to take another sip.

How to Use

The essence is mixed with vodka or neutral spirit. 20 ml makes 750 ml of finished spirit that can be enjoyed straight away. Instructions are on the label.

Serving Suggestions

• Neat and lightly chilled in a small glass – that is when the freshness comes through best.
• Over ice with a thin slice of green apple.
• Highball with soda, plenty of ice and a twist of lemon.
• With cloudy apple juice and a sprig of mint for a light summer drink.
• With cured fish, shellfish and mild cheeses, where a smokier whisky would take over.

About the Essence

Aurora is part of the PR (Prestige) series and is our own speciality – a whisky with no model to follow, so there is nothing to measure it against. It simply has to be tasted. Many customers describe it as the whisky for people who find other whisky too heavy, too smoky or too sweet.

That very purity also makes it a rewarding whisky for mixed drinks. It brings out fruit juices, soda and herbs instead of competing with them, and works nicely where you might otherwise have reached for a white spirit.