THE ARRAN MALT 10YO - DISTILLERY BOTTLING

I visited Arran in August 2012 and have really been wanting to go back since for a bit of further exploration...and that opportunity will come next year. When visiting Islay and Kintyre next year, there's the chance that the Isle of Arran will be squeezed in as well, since it 'almost on the way', going back to Edinburgh. Catching the small ferry from Claonaig on the east side of Kintyre is of course the easiest way to cross and the views from the ferry towards Arran are spectacular... and it'll take you directly to Lochranza and the Arran Distillery on the north end of the island, so no added drive once you disembark.

Of course, the main reason for the visit is to go back to the distillery which, IMO, is able to produce very good and even great whisky... and, still, in these whisky booming days, does it at a fair price vs. quality ratio - good work, Arran! With that in mind, I'll now review the standard 10yo release from them - a bottle I picked up in Amsterdam/Schiphol Airport when returning home from Scotland in May this year - price, a very reasonable €30...

Arran Distillery, August 19th 2012 © The Malt Desk

The Arran Malt 10yo, 46%, Distillery Bottling

Colour is straw

Nose:
Fruity, and mainly citrus notes and then some vanilla. Also some younger yeasty notes in there but it seems to balance very well with the malt and, eventually the apple I've often found in Arran malts

Taste:
Ahh, good malty arrival and yet it still reveals its youth. I'm also thinking a mix of ex-bourbon and sherry casks here. Its floral, fruity - now full with apple, pear and cantaloupe, cereal, vanilla and then finishes of on creamy malt.

Some would maybe argue that this malt is a bit simple.. but it's in perfect balance. I thoroughly enjoyed it and have often used it to kick start my palate. Besides that, its certainly been a nice summer malt - one you can easily enjoy in the summer heat. Its also a malt I'd recommend for the beginner... and the best part is that it non-coloured and non-chill filltered and bottled at 46% :-)

83/100!