Whisky Intelligence Rowan Tree Tasting Note;

Isle of Arran 13yo 1997/2010 (46%, OB, Rowan Tree Limited Edition, 6000 Bts.)

The second in the series “The Icons of Arran”, the follow up to the 2009 release of Arran Peacock and limited to 6,000 bottles. The nose is mildly perfumed (hints of rose water & lilac?) followed by really good fruit and malt. There are also hints of fizzy sherry and then grape fruit plus some hints of unlit cured tobacco. It’s both good and a departure from other bottlings of Arran. The grape fruit is very intriguing. Perhaps some vague hints of pine resin also? On to the taste which is malty followed by the grape fruit, the wood and then it becomes drier and slightly more solid; it firms up some what. Again this is a departure from previous Arrans however it’s still very good. Definitely from the malty, fragrant and fruity side of the flavour wheel. The finish is malty first and foremost followed by the grapefruit and the wood notes. The finish is warming and medium in length.

Consistent to say the least. Enjoyable. But a departure from the norm, which is fine.

£32

82 points

The announcemnet of The Rowan Tree Bottling;

ARRAN WHISKY LAUNCHES NEW LIMITED EDITION BOTTLES

Award-winning Scotch whisky producer Isle of Arran Distillers, have launched a limited edition of 6,000 bottles; The Arran Malt Rowan Tree.

This single malt Scotch whisky consists of 10 ex-Olorosso Sherry Butts carefully selected by Master Distiller James MacTaggart from the 1997 distillation. The result is a golden-coloured malt which has, over the 12 years of maturation, developed complex aromas of dark chocolate, cherries and ginger with a distinctive mint-toffee character on the palate.

The decadent tipple has been named after the equally flamboyant Scottish Rowan Trees which surround the Isle of Arran distillery and in Scottish folklore are believed to ward off evil spirits. Several species of Rowan Tree are unique to the Isle of Arran.

The Arran Rowan Tree is the second edition of the Icons of Arran Series. The first edition, ‘The Peacock’, was named after the distillery’s very own live-in peacock.

Euan Mitchell, Managing Director at Arran Whisky comments “We are very excited to be launching the second limited-edition bottling from our Icon of Arran Series in the year of our 15th anniversary. Our first, The Peacock, sold out very quickly so we’re confident that Arran Rowan Tree will have the same reception in the UK and worldwide.”

This summer, Arran Whisky will be celebrating the distillery’s 15th anniversary with July’s festivities to be announced soon.

Arran Rowan Tree, RRP £38.99, is available from The Arran Malt Shop (www.arranwhisky.com) and specialist shops across the UK and worldwide.