Arran Smuggler Series The Illicit Stills Vol. 1

I finished the entire Arran Smuggler's series collection and can confidently state they are not only among the most visually appealing bottles (with the book-like box) ever created but also represent impressive whiskies. The first I sampled was their third release, "Exciseman," a fantastic single malt. Following that was "The High Seas," which was even better, a truly difficult feat to accomplish. I had high expectations for their first release, "The Illicit Stills," as Arran consistently produces quality spirits, and this collection had previously proven itself to be outstanding. Bottled at 56.2% ABV, it has a golden hue. On the nose, I detected chocolate, the characteristic Arran pineapple, caramel flan, and a tropical punch. It also offered white chocolate and some meringue-like puffs, which I struggle to translate into English. On the palate, it was exquisite. Delicious. It presented like a white glazed donut, with pineapple, intensely tropical notes, white chocolate, hazelnuts, and almonds. Pure sweet magic. The finish was pleasantly spicy, with a subtle hint of smoke. It also had notes of hay and salt, with a delightful tongue-tingling heat. Overall, this is a wonderful whisky, but... the other two were considerably superior. It feels less complex, though it retains its excellent flavors. The nose was somewhat simple and lacked power. That being said, it's a great single malt I'd happily drink anytime, and I would certainly repurchase it (if it weren't so costly). My rating for this dram is a solid 91 out of 100.

This is my top pick from the series, demonstrating that this distillery can produce excellent peated spirits. The aroma is rich with cooked stone fruits, clean cotton, and aged dry hardwood. The taste is characterized by its spice; white and black pepper come through immediately. Deeper in, there's smooth oak and ripe berries. The finish is extended and persistent, featuring a fruity jam enhanced by spicy chili pepper.