Arran Amarone Cask Finish Single Malt

Aromatic yet dusky scent with a prominent oak note brightened by cinnamon and floral grape elements. It carries a dry, woody, almost salty aroma akin to cured planks, reminiscent of wooden church pews on a warm Sunday morning. Hints of pears, green apples, and freshly cut grass. On the palate, it's remarkably smooth, offering a sweet yet dry initial taste with plum and cinnamon flavors. Richer fruit notes emerge as it develops, guiding the palate from dry to sweet and back again. Flavors include dark cherries, almond paste, walnut loaf, Turkish coffee, intense 90% chocolate, dried apricots, plums, and a malty sweetness. The texture is amazing – full and sweet, yet simultaneously dry and almost astringent. Subtle tannic qualities are cleverly integrated, producing a magical effect. Finish: Medium length. The sweetness briefly shifts to dryness before settling into a sweet, dark fruit aftertaste. A dry, earthy, and intricate whisky. It's quite astonishing, but among the three Arran cask finishes recently sampled (sauternes, port, and amarone), this one is the most challenging to connect with. It was the only one I felt genuinely improved with a bit of water. Adding water instantly softens this whisky, harmonizing the astringent tannic notes found throughout its profile, and a sweet grape flavor surfaces on the palate. While purists might debate its merits, I found the whisky truly blossomed and came alive, as if relieved from tension. It's likely the least accessible of the three cask finishes, yet all merit a solid 4 stars (though the sauternes cask finish is my personal favorite). (Tasted from a 30ml sample). "Very Good": 86/100 (4 stars)

The aroma begins with simmering apple cider infused with whole cloves and cinnamon sticks, accompanied by caramelized pears and balsamic strawberries. This is followed by light florals, dark chocolate-covered almonds, and a hint of sea salt, then notes of plums and sour cherries, and tangerine that transitions to mild black tea with a moderate ethanol burn. The taste offers a medium mouthfeel, starting with creamy tropical fruits before a moderate spice that gradually fades to balsamic strawberries, black cherries, and caramelized peaches. Light florals, dark chocolate-covered almonds, mild smoke, and seaside rocky minerality follow, then sautéed cinnamon apples, tangerines, and grilled pineapple rings, transitioning to mild black tea with a moderate ethanol burn. The finish is medium in length, beginning with a blend of tropical fruits and slightly sour red berries, which then gives way to seaside minerality, dark chocolate, and slightly bitter black tea. This is the final sample from the trio provided by a friend, and it's another delicious dram that blends creamy citrus with sour berries, along with mild seaside minerality and subtly bitter black tea. Among the trio, I prefer this slightly over the port finish, but it doesn't achieve the wonderful balance I found in the sauternes finish. It leans more towards a sour and spicier profile than I prefer. At approximately $80, it's another well-priced offering from the distillery that might be better appreciated by someone with a palate less sensitive to sourness and spice than mine. However, for me, I would likely opt for the exceptional sauternes finish if I were considering a bottle from this distillery under $100.

The aroma is intriguing. Strawberry and berry liqueur... It's one of those times I get frustrated because I can't quite identify what I'm smelling or tasting. There's something else it reminds me of. The ethanol is quite strong, but a few drops of water mellow it. The finish is robust enough to almost compensate. It's not crafted nearly as well as the Balblair I had last night. I'd liken it to the Tyrconnell 10 sherry – abundant flavor, but rougher around the edges. If you've had a few drinks, you'd likely rate it higher than if it's your first tasting, as your tongue needs to be somewhat numb to its ethanolic intensity. I'm not primarily focused on the nose, but I prefer it over the palate here. If I could vaporize and inhale this, I would. Someone mentioned red currant gummies, which matched my perception, or perhaps a sweet fruit compote (aha, an original thought!). It's almost like a blend of mild chili peppers and strawberries. Anyway, enough rambling, let's get to the rating. Nose: 4.5. Taste: 3.5... a rating of 3.75 it is. A rare dram where the quality of the nose lifts the palate from mediocrity, making the combined experience better than average. Afterthought: I went out, did some boozy trampolining with the kids, and tried it again. The taste improved noticeably. Perhaps it was psychology, the air, my tongue becoming less sensitive to the ethanol, the influence of the Chimay and Garage Project dessert lager, or something else, but I've revised my taste rating up to 3.5. The overall rating remains unchanged.

This is the second of three cask finishes explored this evening. A new entry has been added to represent the updated branding and core offerings, as it likely deserves its own space over the prior bottling. Nose: Apple and pear are prominent, supported by darker red fruit and chocolate. A deeper investigation reveals the malt. Palate: Flavors of chocolate, malt, dark fruits, and cranberry emerge, with a hint of cinnamon and perhaps coffee. A woody character is present within the richness, contributing to a softening and deepening effect. A single drop of water introduces a subtle bitterness, akin to black tea, adding further complexity. Finish: Medium length. The texture is creamy, featuring bright, juicy fruits like stewed pears and apple, along with the expected delightful Arran ginger note. Quite enjoyable. This could be considered Arran's autumn whisky, contrasting with the spring-like Sauternes. This Amarone cask exhibits a fluctuating saltiness. The mouthfeel is intriguing, simultaneously plump and juicy yet drying. It compels another sip, which surely signifies brilliance. While I don't find it as subtle or refined as the Sauternes, I question if that truly matters. Another Arran, another demonstration of their impressive quality. Whisky tasting #48

Arran has always been appreciated by me, but this is my best expression to date. The nose is a full collection: floral, finished wood, and that aroma when you unwrap a new bag of gummy bears. The palate's flavors are intriguing. I detect raisins, dried pineapple, a malted donut, salted melon, mangosteen, and wilting heather. It presents all these while being well-blended. It's opulent but not outlandish, stylish but not quirky. The finish expands, spreading like a solar flare, with an unexpected hint of ocean spray. This spirit showcases why I can't (and don't want to) abandon single malt scotch. It's amazing how distinct and unique one single malt can be from another produced just a short boat trip away in Campbeltown, for example. Scotch has so much to offer; the region and the skill have so much to offer.

On the nose, there's caramelized peach, dark licorice, cherry candy, and bittersweet chocolate. The taste brings a bounty of fruit: cherry, cranberry, peach, crystallized ginger, dark chocolate, and festive spices. The ending is perhaps a tiny bit more acrid than preferred. Perhaps. A friend's description of this as the autumn counterpart to the spring Sauternes finish was accurate. I might lean towards the spring Sauternes, but it could be the persistent Oklahoma warmth in early October hasn't put me in an autumn mood yet. Nevertheless, it's very pleasing. Beautiful rosy hue. The alcohol content is welcome. The mouthfeel is nice. It appears Arran consistently delivers quality.