Arran 21 Year

Given the price and a basic quality threshold, I decided to try this. Surprisingly, there's very little information available about this bottle. The packaging, while substantial, offers no details about the whisky inside. This lack of information is quite irritating. The aroma features orchard fruits, sawdust, and faint hints of wine cask influence, though not fully developed. I typically might worry about a spirit being closed off upon first opening, but I don't get that impression from Arran products, and it doesn't smell subdued. Generally, it resembles many independent bourbon cask bottlings from Speyside or the Highlands, with light fruit and some oak notes, but it's mild and lacks superior qualities. The taste offers very little initially, being sweet with some fruity elements – it's exceptionally bland. However, after swallowing, things shift. Salty characteristics emerge, along with hints of peat, tannins, custard, and rich vanilla. The finish is genuinely complex, rescuing the spirit from being merely a mixer and elevating it to a high-quality dram. The finish is remarkably long, especially for a 46% ABV, and brings to mind a Springbank profile. I'm somewhat undecided on the score; the finish alone merits a 4.0, while the rest of the spirit barely registers a 1.0, with the aroma being incredibly dull. The mouthfeel is acceptable, but not outstanding. Although I usually skip water with 46% ABV, I tried it for the review. It immediately brought out more fruitiness and improved the aroma, though no truly special notes appeared, just more of the same with a bit more alcohol. Similarly, I detected more sweetness, but the finish diminished slightly, which was the highlight. My final score is 2.75. I initially considered 3.0, but no.

Now that the kind staff at have added this bottle, I'll take the opportunity to share my review. I've had this bottle for some time and sampled it a few times already. I acquired this bottle after enjoying a sample of the 18-year-old, which I really liked. I also have other Arran whiskies because I'm starting to become a bit of a fan. They are a really great distillery and produce excellent whisky. Nose: Tastes like wine gummies, red sour grapes, honey-infused marzipan, mixed citrus fruits, white chocolate, grains, almost like yellowing autumn apples, and white nougat/Turkish delight. Even though many whiskies offer similar aromas, Arran has something special intertwined that I can't quite pinpoint but truly appreciate. The alcohol isn't very noticeable, likely due to the Norlan glass I'm currently using. A very well-composed collection of scents. The master distiller knows his craft. It's an aroma that you simply enjoy. Palate: Begins very mild, mellow, and smooth. Then, it coats your tongue with an interesting layer of dates, chili, dried green herbs, dark chocolate, and a touch of earthiness (mushrooms), which together are very pleasant. It becomes more woody and oaky later, finishing with a warming, sweet, and cotton-like chili burn. The finish is superb. Caramel, dried fruits, herbs, and a bit of fruity, orange-like tartness, all while remaining smooth and oily. Adding water releases more sweetness and also more alcohol on the nose. Recommended, but I must admit that the 18-year-old, from what I recall, was nearly as good. The 21-year-old, however, is smoother, delves deeper into its aromas, and has a longer finish.

This review follows an assessment of its sibling, the Arran Quarter Cask "The Bothy" (cask strength), with both tasted and evaluated concurrently for optimal comparison. This particular dram is exceptional. The youngest spirit in this bottling is a minimum of 21 years old. It's non-chill filtered, retains its natural color, and avoids artificial cask manipulation, which is quite refreshing. The aroma, after about twenty minutes of aeration (one minute in the glass per year of aging), is strikingly complex. Compared to younger Arran expressions, which are predominantly sweet and fruity, this one offers more smoky and spicy characteristics. Notes of pepper, leather, mint, vanilla, caramel, butterscotch, honey, sherry, apple, banana, orange, and apricot are present. It's a delightful and intricate aroma. The palate is not an overwhelming flavor explosion but rather gentle and welcoming, allowing for thorough exploration of distinct flavors without being overpowering. The texture in the mouth is wonderfully creamy. The finish is harmoniously balanced and, for a 21-year-old, surprisingly less assertive than anticipated. It's a long, dry, and peppery finish with undertones of chocolate, coffee, dried fruits, and baking spices. Adding a splash of water enhances the peppery, minty, and leathery qualities on the palate and finish. Rating: 4.5 stars | An all-time favorite.

Nose presents subtle notes of light raisins and sherry, complemented by ginger and orange peel. The palate initially reveals sherry, ginger, and a spicy sensation on the tongue, with raisins and orange. Upon the first taste, chocolate and cinnamon cookie flavors emerge. It's delicate and very fluid, suggesting an age younger than its 21 years. Allowing it to breathe for 5-10 minutes is recommended; otherwise, a slight, unpleasant "corked" aftertaste can be detected (perhaps specific to this bottle). The finish is spicy, featuring orange peel and ginger. It's a good spirit, particularly the aroma, but truthfully, expectations were much higher. Score: 4.25

Nose: Red fruits, sweet almond and honey nut muesli, sugary malt, orange liqueur, peach brandy, Turkish delight, just a whisper of woody oak and a faint puff of fortified wine far off. Palate: Extremely mellow, sweet entry – a dish of ripe red berries drenched in raspberry sauce, mascarpone, vanilla cream and honey. Some ginger in sugary syrup as it develops, alongside sweet cinnamon, milk chocolate and raw cashews. The consistency is nearly syrupy. Finish: Moderate length. Apricots, raisins and a touch of gentle spice atop a sweet caramel foundation. A smooth and accessible spirit that will appeal to anyone, but I find it lacks distinctiveness and doesn't offer good value. It's certainly very enjoyable, but its scope is confined, and it's no better than many spirits at a fraction of the cost. If I had to describe this in a single word, it would be "unremarkable". I'm fine with a simple sweet character centered on fruit, even without much depth, but this felt more like a simple-to-drink 12-year-old than a 21-year-old. Still, I understand why some palates would really appreciate this delicate dram and score it higher. Perhaps I'm just weary, and my palate is too worn out to grasp the subtleties in this kind of spirit. Tasted from a small sample "Good": 84/100 (3.75 stars)

Arran is consistently exceptional in whisky production. I've never encountered a bottling from them that scored below 88 points in my assessments. They recently updated their packaging with new decanters resembling milk bottles and simpler labels. This review covers the 21-year-old Arran from their latest releases. I anticipate it will be as good as their prior 21-year-old, which featured a purple and black label. The nose is highly fragrant, with citrus notes of freshly cut orange, orange juice, and melon. It also presents herbal qualities, school glue, and hazelnut. Truly amazing. The palate is extraordinary. Caramel, orange peel, and red chili notes are present. Red fruits and gooseberries come through. A second taste revealed dried fruits and Turkish delight. It feels incredibly refined yet intricate. Superb product. The finish is perfect, with hints of tobacco, burnt hay, cigarettes, and crushed almonds. Impressive. Overall, this was a superb dram, offering such complexity that it provided layers of distinct flavors and aromas. Considering its price point, it is simply unmatched. I'm beginning to believe Arran may now rank among the top 5 Scottish distilleries. My rating for this exceptional spirit is 97 out of 100. Absolutely spectacular.