Arran 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Time for a real gem. The name being the same as the island it is from, it is the sole distillery on the Isle of Arran. This is a limited edition release with only 9000 bottles released worldwide. This is the final in a line of sequential releases of 16, 17 and 18 year old whisky. It is made from un-peated malted barley and as with the other whiskies this month, also aged in ex-sherry casks. It is non-chill filtered and not artificially coloured as some whiskies are. It results in the full range of aromas and flavours being available to smell and taste.
I dare say this is almost a delicate whisky. On the nose it was initially very similar to the Oban Distillers Edition. I put it down to the sherry cask aging. Side by side though this whisky comes into its own. Rich cinnamon, dried fruits, sweetness from the malt along with fresh fruit flavours, not so much citrus but equally acidic flavours such as pineapple.
On the palate there is straight away the dried fruit and spices which develop into dark chocolate and nuts. The ‘maltiness’ gives it a longer slightly burnt or spicey finish but keeps it smooth and gentle.
I feel guilty that I’ve now reduced the available quantity of this incredible and limited whisky. I also feel better that I got to drink this incredible and limited whisky.