Arran 18 Year

Nose: Warming, robust malt, beef broth, stewed prunes, fig spread, vanilla, clean fragrant wood, hints of oloroso and PX sherry. A truly pleasing and full aroma. Palate: Sweetness for a fleeting moment upon arrival (coffee crystals? Demerara sugar?), then a touch of warmth and ginger spice as it shifts to a dry development with the foundational malt taking center stage. A fruity shift mid-palate with dried apple, baked peach, preserved figs, sweet dark chocolate, dark cherries, and slightly bitter orange emerge, briefly returning to the lighter sugary sweet notes from the initial taste. The texture is mouth-coating and full, balanced by mild astringency from subtle, skillfully integrated tannin. A very faint liquorice note underlies everything, which is superb. Finish: Long. Malt extract, dusky fruit, and bittersweet citrus, fading into a satisfying aftertaste that continues with lingering sherry influences. A lovely spirit with excellent progression. I last evaluated this in mid-2019 for the previous bottling, which I found quite different – drier with a heavier, almost chewy body. This current version is softer, displaying more citrus notes, and is slightly sweeter and more “rounded.” The sherry cask influence is exemplary; it's not noticeable as a distinct component but permeates the entire profile, forming the basis for its complexity and evolution. This expression showcases the mature, malty character of the Arran distillate. I suspect a focus on refill bourbon with a smaller amount of refill sherry casks. Unlike the 14-year-old, this is decidedly not a sweet fruit bomb; the emphasis is firmly on the malty character, reminiscent of Belgian dark fruit beers. Adding water slightly enhances grassy, herbal notes, but overall, I feel it detracts from the spirit. This is quite delicious neat and is best enjoyed that way. "Very Good": 87/100 (4.25 stars)

This distillery stands out as a favorite. Most of their releases have been truly fantastic. I'm also really enjoying their updated look and the path they are taking with unique variations and trials, including their sister distillery "Lagg," which focuses solely on peated spirits. (The Machrie Moor was already a very pleasing peated bottling.) So, after sampling the 12-year expression, I promptly acquired the 18-year and 21-year bottlings, which proved to be more distinct from each other than anticipated. The aroma is quite characteristic of this distillery, featuring a wonderful fruitiness stemming from the sherry cask influence. Predominantly, there are dried apricots and some raisins, along with a pleasant earthy note reminiscent of damp soil. It also presents cranberries, blackcurrant, banana peel, and light vanilla. Hints of green tea are present too. To complete the profile: a superb blend of spices, which I've come to realize is often the key to a great whisky for me – a harmony between sweetness and profound spice. Upon tasting, the initial impression is of delightful oak imbued with dark red fruit and sherry notes. It's hard to pinpoint whether it leans sweet, sour, or even slightly bitter; it resides perfectly in the middle, and this equilibrium is what makes me appreciate this spirit so much. Dark berries come through with a syrupy, woody texture, complemented by candied nuts (similar to the popular German "gebrannte Mandeln"), followed by a spicy warmth akin to cooked chilies right at the finish. Later, the nose develops a rich chocolate character. Ultimately, the experience concludes with a prolonged, lingering spicy fruitiness enhanced by excellent sherry oak. Seriously, what a remarkable spirit, and noticeably different from the 21-year-old. This is a whisky not to be missed. It possesses many facets and offers a great deal to explore. It also evolves beautifully throughout the drinking process, starting out fruity and sherry-sweet with pleasant spices, and as the glass empties, it becomes deeper, smoother, and richer, shedding much of its sweetness for a more pronounced spicy, almost savory quality. I managed to purchase this bottle on sale for just $70, but I would gladly pay more without hesitation.

I've now realized this is a 2019 bottling which is intensely sherried, evident from its very dark color, though the bottle provides no information. The 2018, which I rated a 2.0, has less sherry but still a good amount. So, is this one superior? Nose: caramel, salt, tannins, oak, raisins. It's clear this is a heavily sherried spirit, but it's a neck pour and somewhat restrained. Time will tell if it opens up, and I'll update. Taste: You can tell it's heavily sherried, but the casks aren't exceptional. It offers chocolate, raisin, and dark fruit esters. The malt is quite dry. Where this and other Arran expressions excel is the finish, where island, peat, and salt elements emerge, saving the experience. The finish is an explosive array of wonderful notes, then shifts again to chocolates and oak. With water: The nose reveals only oak. The palate shows milk chocolate upfront but diminishes the finish. Water is beneficial if you dislike the initial finish but otherwise unnecessary. I prefer this slightly over the 2018, as I generally enjoy more sherry in my whisky. I'm giving it a 2.5, and frankly, it could be a 3.0. It's definitely above average, and I believe the last bottle warrants a score increase. Let's settle on 2.75. Update: Let's dive in. I'm still uncertain about the cask influence here. How can it be so dark without being completely saturated with sherry? The malt, the salty coastal character, etc., are excellent. The sherry is prominent enough to complement without overwhelming. This is remarkable in today's market of over-oaked spirits or flawed bottles. The flavor profile is lighter than many whiskies I rate highly, and I typically prefer peat. However, I was mistaken to underestimate this. I'm revising my score to 3.25. These Arran 18 year olds are superb. They are also incredibly easy to drink.

Nose - Immediately, sherry and charred American oak barrels stand out. Sweet fruits with roasted vanilla and caramel. A faint note of either peat or salt is present; I'm unfamiliar with Arran but perhaps it's coastal or a minimal peat use. I should have checked the bottle, but being an island makes that plausible. Overall, the nose is rustic and mature but the lower 46% ABV leaves me a bit unsatisfied. Still, a very intriguing nose that invites further exploration. Taste - This evokes charred American oak again, but instead of deep sweetness, it offers softer oak tannins and a richness in the French vanilla toasted sugar range, focusing more on the toasted barrel flavor. Then, sea salt and chocolate appear with minimal fruit notes. A slightly bitter/metallic hint reminds me of a Springbank dram, a very nice addition. There's a subtle waxy, muted quality. Overall, a well-crafted 18-year-old whisky at a decent, albeit low, proof. So, the decision? Will I purchase another? No. Would I be pleased to receive one as a gift? Yes. Will I happily finish this bottle? Absolutely. Therefore, a 2.0, a rather average whisky in today's market of high-quality drams. After some time open, I'm increasing the rating to 2.5; the finish remains an improvement.

Nose: The aromas are abundant and varied! Dates, raisins, prunes, dark cherries, orange, grape jelly, Haribo cola candies (yes!), Dr. Pepper, sticky toffee pudding, almonds, cranberries, some floral notes, and black licorice. Palate: Cherry, raisins, dates, figs, cola candies, orange, ginger, oak, leather, licorice, dark chocolate. Finish: Dark chocolate, figs, Dr. Pepper, orange, cranberry, ginger, nutmeg, raisins, balsamic, leather. I've never encountered a spirit quite like this! All the flavors meld together beautifully. It has a pleasant creamy texture with nothing unpleasant. It seems like an excellent Christmas dram. Plus, the aroma and flavor of Haribo cola candies bring back fond memories.

I was unprepared for Arran when I sampled the 14yo and gave it a low rating. This Arran 18yo is outstanding and has restored my confidence in the brand. Nose: Perfect. Blackberry jam, COTTON CANDY (amazing), Cherry, Honey; simply wonderful. Palate: A honey note. A very potent dram, similar to the 14yo, with pepper, a tingling sensation on the tongue, prunes, oakiness, and significant complexity. Finish: Strong and full of character with ginger notes. Beautifully balanced. Overall, I recommend this exceptional spirit with a score of 93 out of 100.