Isle of Arran 2000/2011 The Sleeping Warrior (54.9%, OB, 6000 Bts.)

A limited edition bottling and a portion of the sales went to support the National Trust for Scotlandto help maintain the foot paths on Goatfell, Arran’s highest peak. The profile of the summits and ridges on the northern end of the isle is referred to as the sleeping warrior due to its resemblance to a resting human figure. Now you know. On the nose there is marmalade, apricot and lemon zest along with tinned fruit salad. There are also significant but not over whelming influences from the cask in the form of some good oak spice but the aforementioned fruits are the real stars of the show. All very rich, concentrated and creamy. The taste is more of the dried fruits but with some good backing from the cask(s) and a welcome arrival is the Arran malt which after a moment or two becomes very chewy. A little water smoothes things out and is a helping hand since without it it’s very strong. The water doesn’t dull the flavour for a moment; it’s all there, bold as brass. The finish is long, spicy and full of the malt and the dried fruits.

  A multi faceted dram with loads of dried fruit and spice. Find one if you can.

$98

88 points

Part 4 of 4 featuring Isle of Arran Whiskies