Isle of Arran 13yo 1996/2010 (57.7%, OB, Sherry, C#536, 325 Bts.)

Sample Sherry Single Cask Bottle

From the back label “Every year our Distillery Manager inspects all of the casks maturing in our Warehouses on Arran. Using his many years of experience and skill he is searching for casks which have matured exceptionally well over the years. When he has determined which casks have developed the most individual and interesting character, these are prepared as a Single Cask bottling. This high quality limited edition product is then made available for sale with each bottle individually numbered as proof of authenticity.” 

The nose right off is very good and typical Isle of Arran quality; sherry notes (dark fruits, jam, cherries, raisins, dried and concentrated) along with the  now familiar  biscuity malt that Arran is so we known for. What a sublime mixture.   59.9% demands the application of a little water. Much as previously described but now with the addition of a little cocoa and hints of the cask. The sherry and malt are the  fore ground characteristics. The undiluted taste is strong, vaguely vegetal at first and then the sherry comes crashing in; sweetness and then some slight hints of clove and tobacco followed by the malt which is more subdued at this point. With water the sample is gentler and sweeter but not overly so and despite this being a sherry cask it deals with the addition of water very well. It’s still vibrant and does not collapse. Excellent with some water. The finish is malty, vibrant and long. After the malt and sherry roil around together the oak notes make a later appearance. The sherry is not done and comes back to remain in place for the remainder of the finish. The finish is actually very long and the addition of water only increases it.

Excellent and not a dram to rush.

C$68

Score 90 points

Isle of Arran 10yo 1999/2010 (57.1%, OB, Bourbon, Loch Fyne Whiskies, C#41, 219 Bts.)

The very first single cask bottled exclusively for Loch Fyne Whiskies and bottled a mere 13 days prior to its 11th birthday. The label states “One of the Best” Loch Fyne Whiskies. High praise indeed.

The nose is of tobacco and fruit, toffee (not too much), fragrance, grapefruit rind and barley dust. Vanilla and hints of varnish and tinges of cedar. There is a lot going on in the glass and it’s good. 57.1% Bourbon begs for water. A little hand warming brings forth more wood spice notes and bourbon notes plus some increased toffee and honey. The taste undiluted is simply delicious. Some malt and fruit and the dryness along with some of the cedar and cocoa bitterness with is all simply wonderful. This is brilliant. A late rise of more tobacco but it’s not bitter, much more on the sweeter side. With water the taming is complete however the character of the whisky is still complete, there is still loads of vibrancy and flavour. It has not been sweetened down beyond recognition. Hints of mushy warm fruit, crème brulèe and heather. The finish is almost creamy but still very active and looong, some bourbon and malt and cocoa all very well intermingled. Oh yes, very long and sensational.

Cracker. Two bottles each. Pfft…hardly likely to share this.

£49

Score 90 points

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