Arran Port Finish

Arran 12 Year Old / Cask Strength / Batch 6

This 12 Year Old Cask Strength appeared in 2016 and seems to be the last of its kind. I did not see such a release in 2017 (nor in 2018, but the year is only halfway after all). Looks like this Batch 6 is the final one. Lovely mix of white orchard fruit, sultanas, marzipan and Reine Claude plums, with a truckload of vanilla. Some salted caramel....

Score 84/100

Arran 100 Proof

This is my first Arran. I haven’t sampled much from this distillery, but right now I find myself starting with the 100 Proof. I like a bit of kick, so I thought a healthy 57% abv. may be right up my alley. Not so. Nose: Apples, citrus rind, pears, and malt. Lots of barley and some very light vanilla. The strength gives it an alcoholic bite but the...

Score 73/100

Arran Cask Finishes Sauternes

After a good palate cleanse, we now have the Arran Sauternes cask finish. Sauternes is a French sweet wine, and is made by grapes that have been afflicted by "noble rot," which apparently slightly raisins the grapes and brings out distinctive flavors. Again, this is bottled at a commendable 50% abv. Bottle has been opened for only 2...

Score 85/100

Arran Orkney Bere

Orkney? Bere? In an Arran island malt? how come? I bet you are asking yourselves the same questions. So a little explaining is needed here: Bere is Scotland’s oldest cultivated barley and was commonly used until the 20th century for the production of whisky. This Single Malt Scotch whisky was produced in 2004 as a collaboration between the...

Score 85/100