Arran 12 Pinot Noir Danish Retailers

A very well-known Danish Whisky Retailer released a highly interesting Arran expression some years ago, from a 1999 vintage. This 12 year old was finished in Pinot Noir casks for the final 3 years of maturation, and was bottled at 46% ABV. The bottle does not resemble the new "milk" decanters, as it was a 2011 release, which in my opinion, were much more attractive bottles. On the nose, a wonderful aroma of Nutella, hazelnut, chocolate, and oranges all at once, upon the first sniff. It's like pineapples dipped in cappuccino. Caramel. There's something that feels old and humid, like sawdust. Elegant and rich on the nose. Pineapple juice. The most incredible marshmallow note ever has appeared. Peach halves and white chocolate. On the palate, I get pineapple notes immediately; it feels a little light, almost watery. Sugar notes for a second, then it becomes salty water. On the second sip, this is definitely sugary, with sawdust notes. Aftertaste is beautiful. Tobacco and dark cake notes. Burnt hay. Very satisfying and full. It feels like drinking the loose wooden threads from the cask. Overall, a very enjoyable 12-year-old expression from Arran, but I did not detect the Pinot Noir Cask influence at all. It tastes more like a standard Arran, which is always a very good dram in my estimation, but it didn't offer me anything new. Still, this is a very good whisky; my rating for it is 88 out of 100.

Nose: The wine cask influence is detectable, though less pronounced than in some other Pinot bottlings. It's very fresh, with spicy oak, mineral sugars, and light red fruits. It reminds me more of a merlot than a pinot. Palate: Wonderful texture for the alcohol content, with fresh fruits again and some delicate spices. It's not highly complex but is an easy drinker. Finish: Short, dry, citrusy... rather disappointing.