Arran Machrie Moor Fingal's Cut Sherry Cask Finish

There's an old Scottish tale about a Giant warrior named Fingal, who resided in a place called "Fingal's Cave," which is actually located in Ireland. This giant had a wolf companion and created the "Machrie Moor," a rock formation similar to, but less impressive than, Stonehenge. For the Arran distillery, "Machrie Moor" represents their peated expression, and "Fingal's cut" is a specific variety of Machrie Moor, often bottled at cask strength. In fact, this particular bottling has all the hallmarks: heavily peated, Sherried, and single cask strength. Bottled at 54.4% alcohol by volume, it displays a chestnut color. The nose is exceptionally impressive. It offers oregano spice, bacon, cherries, lemon peel, and chocolate. There's an aroma that evokes detergent and Filet mignon, alongside green prunes and chocolate. It's quite a dynamic experience. The palate is a cherry explosion. Flavors of maple syrup, plums, and lemon are present. The balance of sweet and sour is extraordinary. The aftertaste is intensely warming and invigorating. It's smoky, very smoky. Spicy and herbal notes dominate, creating the sensation of a bonfire. Burning hay and peat are wonderfully present. Overall, Arran is currently among my favorite distilleries; they consistently deliver. This is a truly magnificent single malt, incredibly complex, full of character and flavor, and it's available for under 50 pounds on their website. I paid three times that amount because I reside in Ecuador, where obtaining it is challenging. However, if you need to go out of your way for a whisky, this is the one. My rating is 100 out of 100. Cheers!

Purchased a miniature bottle from the distillery shop. The aroma isn't very pronounced, with some peat and dark fruits present. The taste is fiery with a little 🔥, revealing pleasant Sherry notes and a nice touch of peat that leaves a smoky aftertaste. It has a full, oily mouthfeel. I rather enjoy this.

Nose: Orange, chocolate, and smoke. Taste: Lacking intensity, with some spice, cherry, raisins, and peat. Finish: Smooth and short. Disappointing, not very robust with minimal flavor.

Did they remove the sherry before filling these barrels? Amazing! It's dark – a deep sherry-red brown – and intensely sweet. At cask strength, it also has a strong impact.