Arran 14 Year (Old Label)

Hard to score, and even harder to please everyone with this one, as it's definitely not for every palate. Appears a bright gold. The nose offers a subtle scent, not overpowering, quite floral for its age. I detected these aromas after really concentrating: Damp woods; a specific kind of sweet, like butterscotch. Hints of hazelnut. Zest of orange, and a fragrant wood common on Ecuadorian beaches, used to ward off insects when burned, known locally as "Palo santo." I looked up its English equivalent and found it to be lignum vitae (a term not everyone would recognize). That subtle character vanishes on the tongue. Due to its strength, it's intensely fiery. Overwhelmed by oak, tasting like aged timber. The finish is extended and burning. There's also a feeling of intense mintiness radiating from within when you breathe out. A few drops of water brought out a spicy pepperiness, significantly enhancing its drinkability and overall enjoyment. However, it remains intensely hot and potent. The heat is comparable to swallowing flames. It has a full body, coating the entire mouth. Very rich in malt, this isn't to my taste; I believe a spirit should be enjoyable without needing water. I recognize some will adore it, while others will despise it. I experienced both reactions myself.

Released in 2017. Arran is a distillery worth noting for its current improvements. I still possess a bottle of Arran 10 from 2013, and it's quite poor. Thus, even as recently as 7-8 years ago, this distillery produced inferior whisky. Now, they are crafting modern masterpieces. The new 10, 14, and 18 year olds I've tried are all excellent; however, it is the 14 that is captivating. Precision and complexity. That's challenging to achieve, but this whisky accomplishes it with a delicate harmony of creaminess and green notes. Vanilla custard. Green apples and citrus with powdered sugar. Kiwi and cucumber with caramel. A welcome sharp kick of ginger and sage on the finish with the soft oakiness that evokes a much more expensive Japanese whisky. While drinking this dram, it feels like a creation made with genuine purpose, as if it were written. When purchasing, ensure you select the bottles with the modern appearance. Unlike with most other distilleries, you should avoid any bottles that look old-fashioned. Score: ** (unbelievably good) Bottle cost: $70-100 My perceived bottle worth: $150

I saw this on sale for $52, which seemed like a good value for a 14-year-old, especially since the 10 has good reviews. Non-chill filtered and 92 proof are positives. Poured neat, it coats the glass nicely. The nose offers buttered shortbread, rich malt, cinnamon applesauce, and spiced oak. It's quite deep with only a trace of ethanol. A thick, oily mouthfeel leads to a palate of creamy, spicy malt with some apple, barley sugar, and strong oak. Some heat and sizzle come through, but this is a tasty scotch. It's similar to the Deanston 12 profile, focusing more on pure malt flavor with surrounding accents. The finish has fading malt, some vanilla bean, and sturdy oak that dries for balance. It's slightly bitter at the end, but not unpleasantly so. Great weight and powerful flavor make for an excellent single malt. It doesn't possess the smoothness of older scotches (it has some heat), and I would lean towards Deanston, but this is still an upper-tier malt in my opinion......89/100.......minor deduction for price and excess heat for a 14-year-old.

Smell: Faint scent of apples, dark honey, pomelo, delicate spice, and hints of peach or nectarines. Flavor: Tastes of fresh apple, a whisper of pear, peach, pomelo rind, a light prickle of white pepper, a subtle tea bitterness, and honey. Aftertaste: The tea bitterness lingers, along with floral fruit, honeyed apple, and a touch of lasting spice. Rating - 86/100 Overall Impression - A very enjoyable drink, with a pleasing harmony of floral and fruit notes. It's not overly complicated but effectively does what it aims to. It evokes a summery feel and would likely be excellent in a highball. This could serve as a good starting point for those new to Scotch, as it lacks anything particularly off-putting and is easy to sip. Some might find the spice a bit strong, but a little water should mellow it. Would I have some if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - Yes, if the price is reasonable Would I purchase a bottle? - Possibly, I'd consider paying up to $70 USD for one

Arran 14 years old. 46% alcohol by volume, Non-Chill Filtered, Natural Color. Arran products are generally excellent. I really liked the 10-year-old but gave it to a friend who enjoyed it immensely after an evening of tasting whiskies. I was surprised by how much more the 14-year-old offers compared to the 10-year-old. Both are very good, but this 14-year-old is truly exceptional. The aroma is wonderful – fruit, almonds, grass, honey, vanilla, and barley sugar. The taste includes vanilla, toffee, caramel apple, and some sherry-influenced flavors (raisins, figs, spice, clove). Adding water intensifies the spice and clove while diminishing the vanilla. It's very enjoyable either neat or with water. The finish is medium, with green apples, spice, clove, and cinnamon. I'm uncertain if this expression is still being produced, but all Arran whiskies are good. Overall Grade: B.

This is a pleasant whiskey. Initially, upon opening the bottle, it was somewhat restrained and uninteresting, but it has become more engaging as it has aired. On the nose, I detect vanilla, caramel, hay, lychee, and macadamia nuts. The palate presents modeling clay, papaya, marzipan, chewy caramels, sweet honeysuckle, and subtle herbal notes. The finish is oily and of medium length, with more modeling clay and marzipan that persists. It's not groundbreaking, but it's very nice. It has become a go-to whiskey for the start of an evening when I plan to conduct a tasting flight. Its complexity and balance help prepare my palate without overwhelming my taste buds.