The Arran Malt 10yo (46.0%): I ran out most of my samples and don't have any open bottle around I really want to review this weekend... So, that means it's time to go back and shuffle the minis basket... This wee bottle is filled by The Arran Distillery situated in Lochranza, Isle of Arran. When they started to run their stills for the first time in 1995 they used the be called the new kid in the block but now with dozens of others being registered every year Arran is considered already a matured and respected distillery in Scotland. I always liked their 10yo expression and ordered many times at bars but didn't have a chance to review it till now. It is non-chill filtered and bottled at 46% abv. The bottle I have on my desk carries the old labeling. They recently revamped the packaging of their line-up.
Color: Yellow gold, like a heavily oaked Chardonnay.
Nose: Freshly squeezed lemon juice, dandelion leaves, bitter greens and haystack. Savory scone dough and freshly baked biscuits. Tart and refreshing. A few drops of water made the nose a little sweeter: Bonbon candies, lemon pound cake and vanilla.
Palate: Way more sweeter than the nose: Almond cookies, lemon sorbet and dry malt. Kiwi slices and green almonds. Nice thick and creamy texture. Adding water thins the texture and makes it even sweeter. Still holding up great though: Prunes and golden raisins.
Finish: Long with eucalyptus drops, endives and some Granny Smith Apples. After adding water I got less of green and bitter aromas. It also shortens the finish and leaves mostly sweet notes.
Overall: I like it a lot... One of my favorite every day whiskeys in the market. But... I have to admit that it is a pretty hard sell for 50 bucks a bottle. The price tag attached to it elevates the whisky to a different category where it has to compete with some very good other single malts. Now I am thinking, maybe that's the reason why I never purchased a full bottle before. At the end it's a very good and incredibly balanced whisky with a lot of beautiful bourbon cask notes and definitely recommended but you might consider to sample it before you commit to buy a full bottle...
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