Description
Arran 25 Years Old sits at the top of the Arran core range. It comes from Lochranza Distillery on the Isle of Arran. The stills there first ran in 1995. Some of the oldest original casks went into this bottling. Water for the spirit comes from Loch na Davie.
About 65% of the blend aged in ex-bourbon casks and 35% in ex-sherry casks. All of it then spent a final 12 months in first-fill and refill sherry hogsheads. It is bottled at 46% ABV, without chill filtration and with natural color. Only 3,000 bottles were released worldwide in 2023, with 240 for the United States.
Give the glass a few minutes. Rich oak and a gentle nutmeg note come first. Baked ripe figs, sultanas and black cherries follow. On the palate you meet fruit cake, toasted almonds and cinnamon. Orange and mandarin zest brighten it. Manuka honey, muscovado sugar and baked apricot soften the edges. A thread of white pepper adds one more layer.
The finish is creamy and spicy. Dark chocolate and walnuts linger with a compote of dark fruit. Whisky Advocate rated this release 93 points in 2023.
Sip it neat, slowly, and add a drop or two of water if you like. Aged Gouda, roasted hazelnuts or a square of dark chocolate make fine partners. This is a bottle to open for a milestone. It also makes a memorable gift for the Scotch lover in your life.
