Arran 17 Year

It's no surprise that Arran has become a favorite distillery of mine. They produce a tropical profile that feels so distant from Scotland, it truly transports you to the Caribbean. This is what I anticipate from every Arran, and I managed to get a sample of this 17-year-old whisky, which was released almost a decade ago. Bottled at 46% ABV, it has a beautiful golden hue. On the nose, there are two distinct phases, two rhythms. It begins with an incredible butterscotch aroma, complemented by dehydrated tropical fruits and lovely honey. A maritime/salty note emerges, alongside some farm hay within the honey aroma. There's a hint of cake that's just past its prime, like on its last edible day. Citrus peel and pepper are present, along with tobacco. After a couple of sips, a fatty note, similar to ham, appears. Then, after two more sips, a completely different 'third nose' emerges: subtle sugar, chocolate, and milk powder. Where did those sweet notes hide before? UPDATE: After letting it breathe extensively for about 10 minutes, a rich, marshmallow-vanilla flavor dominates all the aromas. On the palate, it's notably sweet and spicy, with toffee, caramel, and salt. A salty butterscotch flavor is present, along with yellow apples and a slight sulfuric note. It starts thick and sweet but quickly turns salty and acidic. The finish is all about hay and caramel, with apples. It's slightly grassy and salty, with hints of bitter cocoa. It has a very 'cowboy' feel, evoking the old Wild West. Bitter tobacco and burnt hay are also present. Overall, this is a great dram, but the nose is significantly superior to the other aspects. It's very enjoyable, but the palate is a bit simple, and the finish is slightly discordant without detracting too much. This whisky tastes exactly as a 17-year-old single malt should, with mature notes and layers of complexity, well-presented to the drinker. I give it a very fair score of 88 out of 100.

It's surprising to find an 80 and so few comments. The distinct Arran character is prominent on the nose, with aromas of greenness, a barn or stable, and even wet sheep. Despite the unusual scent, the taste is pleasant and complex. This is an interesting dram, possibly less sherry-forward than the 14-year-old, which is a personal favorite.

I agree with the featured reviewer; there isn't much character here. The distillery is decent but not outstanding; this is one of their weaker offerings. Faint green apple, vanilla, and ethanol notes.

An exceptional scotch. Very delicate notes and a superb, well-balanced drink.

Nose: green apple, almonds, and citrus. Palate: dry, herbal, slight cherry

It's alright.