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Arran 10 Year Old

Whisky Advent Calendar - Day 21

0 787

@talexanderReview by @talexander

21st Dec 2013

0

Arran 10 Year Old
  • Nose
    22
  • Taste
    21
  • Finish
    22
  • Balance
    22
  • Overall
    87

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

It has been quite a ride the last two days: woke up yesterday with a migraine (called in sick), slept most of the day, and threw my annual Christmas whisky party last night - which as always was amazing (sad though that @padddockjudge, @Victor and @dramlette couldn't make it this year!) And today, my girlfriend and her son arrive from Vancouver for a three-week stay! So somewhere amidst all the chaos, I've found a few minutes to write up Day 21.

This is the entry level Arran single malt. Launched in 2006, it is matured in about 70% second-fill sherry casks, with the remaining 30% split between bourbon and first-fill sherry casks.

The colour is a light honey. On the nose, banana seems to be the dominant note. Malty, slightly herbal, Mackintosh toffee and lemon pith. Water opens the malt up nicely. Very clean and fresh.

On the palate, very bright and young with more citrus notes, vanilla, tropical fruits and spice (cumin?). Some sour apple adds a bit of tang. Water ups the spice a little. Again, very fresh and sprightly.

The finish has both depth and elegance, with lingering vanilla and toffee. Spicy and fruity. This is a lovely everyday malt. It could use a bit more body and complexity, but like everything I've had from this distillery, it is well worth savouring.

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7 comments

@paddockjudge
paddockjudge commented

Advent(ure) Calaendar - Envious, maybe a little. Okay, a lot! This calendar is awesome and I want one for every month of the year...The Year in Whisky.

10 years ago 0

@talexander
talexander commented

That would be a lot of drammage!

10 years ago 0

@vanPelt
vanPelt commented

I was pretty happy with this too, as lighter malt; will finally post my review, probably in a couple weeks.

One "interesting" correction, which I think few are aware of: the "real" entry-level expression from Arran is the "Arran Original", which comes in a copper container. Though NAS, it is somewhere between 7 and 8 years old in age, and for some reason it is only distributed in northwestern Europe (as far as I know). Light but surprisingly good/balanced for its age.

10 years ago 0

@talexander
talexander commented

Interesting @vanPelt - thanks for the correction - however, it must be very region specific as there is no mention of that expression on the Arran website.

10 years ago 0

@vanPelt
vanPelt commented

True! And by the way, I shouldn't have said "correction" ('gotcha!') but rather "interesting side note". I inquired about the absence of Arran Original on their website, some time ago. They replied that they do not publicise, because they mainly export where I mentioned above. They sent me their flier and referred me to their official distributor's site: www.whisky.fr/arran-original.html

10 years ago 0

@Victor
Victor commented

I am glad that you guys are enjoying the Arran 10. So far what I've had of it hasn't done a thing for me.

Now the Isle of Arran 14YO...about that one I am quite enthusiastic, and also about most of the wine-finished Arran 10 base-malt products.

10 years ago 0

@talexander
talexander commented

@Victor - yes, I LOVE the Arran 14 - prefer it over the 10, definitely.

10 years ago 0