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The Arran 18 Year Old Single Malt. Isle of Arran, Scotland. ABV: 46%. Tasted on glorious Sydney Harbour, $199 (bottle).
Colour: Brassy gold.
Nose: It’s very light. Lemon tarts with freshly baked short crust pastry; pine needles and a faint whiff of hessian sacks. Swirling the glass agitates some of those typical Arran tropical fruit salad notes.
Palate: It’s like the flavours have wrapped a warm blanket around your tongue and are comforting you after another punishing week at the office. There’s a hint of cooked pineapple but then tobacco leaves and woody flavours come through.
Finish: A slightly salty, spicy and woody finish with a touch of black peppercorns.
Comments: What a finish to the week. A healthy dram of Arran, one of my favourite distilleries.
Given that Arran as a distillery was only founded in 1995, the Arran 18 Year Old Single Malt represents the oldest release in their core range. Personally, it’s not my favourite Arran or one that I feel particularly showcases their house style. The wood influence seems to overshadow the more delicate fresh tropical fruit notes evident in some of their other releases.
But it’s eminently drinkable and I’d gladly buy another bottle – I kinda like that it’s got a different personality and shows another side to one of my favourite producers.