Isle of Arran 4yo 2005/2009 (57.7%, OB, Peated, Bourbon, C#116, 253 Bts., D’12/12/05 B’7/12/09)

Hmmm…if they had waited a few days this would have been a 5yo instead of a 4yo. The late 2009 release of the peated Arran; again some what of a new project for the distillery, normally their mal is unpeated. Mr. Currie liked it that way. 

The nose is astringent at first; some malt manages to escape from the clutches of the alcohol and then some peat smoke (which is not hugely strong). Also some fruit. After 10 minutes in the glass some creamy white chocolate. This is very strong; time for some water. Swirls and eddies…plasticine, pepper, increased fruit and smoke. The undiluted taste is chocolaty, malty and peppery, the undiluted taste is actually manageable. Vanilla, marmalade, Hazelnuts? Chewy, malty. The diluted taste is much more gentle but slightly duller but sweeter. The undiluted taste is much more vibrant. Not a lot of peat. The finish is good, malty and slightly peated with hints of kippers, after a few moments some really good fruit makes and appearance which knocks the peat smoke into the back ground.

A bit of a puzzle but lots going on; it won’t disappoint.

£48 at Loch Fyne Whiskies

Score 81 points