Isle of Arran 14yo 1996/2011 (56%, OB, Premium Single Cask, Sherry, C#1785, 165 Bts., D. 06/11/96, B. 31/03/11) – Scotch Whisky Tasting Note
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Isle of Arran 14yo 1996/2011 (56%, OB, Premium Single Cask, Sherry, C#1785, 165 Bts., D. 06/11/96, B. 31/03/11)
A bottling for the new Premium Single Cask line from Isle of Arran Distillery and this particular bottling was only available in the United States. On the nose there is Christmas cake, oak spice (black pepper, some light chilies & other assorted wood notes). After some small amount of time in the glass the alcohol clears for some truly excellent first class sherry notes with a hints of coffee in the back ground. This is what people dream of in sherry casks and such quality is certainly not ubiquitous today with the prevalence of so many tainted casks. Some classic and characteristic Isle of Arran malty notes lay lurking just below the sherry layer and add to the aromas very nicely. The taste is of dry sherry that quickly becomes a tussle between the Christmas cake and the oak spice dryness however the Christmas cake wins in the end (with a little help from the oak spice if one is to be honest; they work very well together). It’s a very big taste and there’s the malt hiding in the back ground once again. Sensational! The finish is a mirror image of nose and the taste with a little cold tea notes in the later moments of the finish which is very long and sweet and sour dry after some time.
Only 165 bottles and only available in theUSA? Oh my, those lucky Americans. Many thanks to Robert & Barbara Townsend for the sample.
$105
Score 91 points
