Isle of Arran 14yo (56.3%, OB, Premium Cask Selection, C#719, 520 Bts., D’09/05/97 B’11/08/11)

A series from the Isle of Arran distillers that reflects that the Premium Cask Selection are their very best whiskies. The undiluted nose is overripe fruit, dried cherries, raisins with hints of vanilla and without a doubt sherry with a little backing from some malt. Enjoyable to say the least. With the addition of a little water the nose opens up but remains true to form. The undiluted taste is vibrant with some good fizz and then the sherry and malt arrive in equal doses and the flavour builds and builds, a cascade of sherry and malt. With water once again it remains true to the undiluted sample however it has been tamed some what (not dulled) and is still quite excellent. The finish is very active, after a moment or two there is some of the really good sherry as previously mentioned, the malt and then some unlit cured tobacco and finally the malt takes over. The finish is very, very long. It is all very good…

A must…

£62 available from Loch Fyne Whiskeis and the Whisky Exchange

92 points