Arran 18 Year (Limited Edition)

The Isle of Arran was a major highlight of our recent golf and distillery tour through western Scotland. Situated in the Firth of Clyde, near the Kintyre Peninsula and Campbeltown, the island is both visually stunning and geologically fascinating. Similar to Scotland itself, the highland boundary fault divides the island, creating a northern section with rugged hills and the towering Goat Fell peak at 2,866 feet. The southern regions are classified as lowlands, though still undulating. Arran distillery is found in the northwest corner at Lochranza, and they are presently constructing a second site on the island's southern tip, in Lagg. Lochranza was selected for the original distillery because of its water source, Loch Na Davie, which is reputed to provide the island's softest water, and possibly Scotland's. Since its founding, Arran has gained a reputation for using high-quality casks, a fact clearly evident on the nose of all their expressions. For a relatively new distillery (established 1995), they have also explored various cask finishes, including quarter casks and wine casks. During our visit, we sampled numerous expressions, such as their limited 21st Anniversary and ArranTrust editions, along with their new 18-year-old, the Port Cask Finish, Machrie Moor, Machrie Moor CS, The Bothy-Qtr Cask, 14-year-old, 12-year-old CS, 10-year-old, Lachranza Reserve, Sauternes Cask Finish, Amarone Cask Finish, Madeira Cask Finish, and a couple of blends. If one word were to define the Arran distillery and its whiskies, it would be 'exceptional.' Consequently, they've already amassed a significant following, with crowds flocking to the distillery for the release of 'The Exciseman,' which sold out in just two days and is now fetching double its retail price at auction. We spent four days on Arran leisurely savoring the aforementioned whiskies, with my top picks being the new 18-year-old (identifiable by its blue label and copper lettering), followed by the 21st Anniversary, and then the peaty Machrie Moor CS edition. Some of my companions favored the Port Cask Finish. My personal favorite, the 18-year-old, was bottled at 46% ABV and matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and sherry barrels. Consistent with Arran's practices, it is non-chill filtered and contains no added color. I found the aroma of the 18-year-old to be both distinctive and outstanding. It possessed an unusual spiciness with unidentifiable notes, setting it apart from their other offerings. I suspect the extended cask aging contributed to this, but it didn't manifest identically in their 21st Anniversary release, which comprises spirits from their initial three batches (bottled in 1995, 1996, and 1997). The taste of the 18-year-old was a smooth blend of honeyed vanilla, almonds, and cinnamon spice, with just enough warmth to negate the need for water. The finish was similarly smooth and satisfying, offering hints of roasted barley and a touch of sweetness, but primarily dry. An excellent dram that I would score 4.25 stars, with the other expressions not far behind. Keep an eye on this distillery; they are rapidly ascending!

This 18 year old malt from Arran was quite interesting. It was initially part of a limited three-year production run including 16, 17, and 18-year-old malts, but is now a permanent offering in Arran’s core range. This expression is bottled at 46% ABV, is non-chill filtered, and has no added color. Its appearance is a lovely yellow-gold and seems very oily, though it doesn't produce many legs. The nose initially presented sawdust and freshly cut oak, even after over 20 minutes. Notes of apples and cinnamon were present but required effort to detect. It truly evoked an apple pie on the nose. Unfortunately, my expectations were not fully met. However, the palate truly came to life. Milk chocolate and oranges greeted the senses with an ideal balance of sweetness and citrus. The sugary sweetness truly set the stage for a pleasant dessert dram. Midway through the sip, a more pronounced ginger bitterness emerged, displacing the dessert notes and leading to a lengthy, spicy finish. The oily texture persisted, which was a significant positive, while the chocolate notes lingered. The underwhelming nose detracted from this malt's potential. It is a very good dram, easily earning 4-4.25 stars. Seek it out. Cheers.

Nose - Aromatic honey, dark apple liquid, light caramel, golden raisins, nougat Taste - Mild sweet spice, sweet golden raisins, slightly drying, a hint of dried pineapple, fresh apples with skin, a whisper of ripe yellow peach Finish - Lingering sweet tingle, creamy caramel, golden raisins, slightly drying Score - 85/100 Final Thoughts - This was rather pleasant, appearing to be a nice fusion of sherry influences with a substantial amount of bourbon/refill to soften it. Light, bright sweetness from beginning to end, with some depth, yet it maintains a predominantly "bright" fruity/floral character. Highly quaffable & enjoyable; I could envision myself sipping this in the spring or summer when I desire a drink without needing to focus on complex tastes. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - Perhaps Would I buy a bottle? - Perhaps

An intriguing dram from Arran. The aroma begins somewhat subdued, but the palate truly awakens with layered notes of salted caramel, brine, and chocolate. It would have been akin to a Talisker if it possessed that peppery bite too. Would I acquire a full bottle? Yes...provided it was under $100.

Good, but surprisingly delicate for 46% ABV. I suspect adding water would strip this whisky of its flavor. The nose offers apples, some honey, and malted barley, with a generous amount of cinnamon. Imagine apple pie; if that appeals to you, you'll likely enjoy this whisky. Cheers!

The nose features vanilla, honey, and orchard fruits. The palate offers malted cereal, citrus, and a hint of passionfruit. It has a fruity and medium-length finish. A tasty and well-balanced dram.