The Eagle Has (Finally) Landed? Arran 17 Year Old

Here at Caskstrength, we have a distinct soft spot for the Arran distillery. 

Back in 2011, when we decided to embark on our epic journey into the A-Z of Whisk(e)y, we began with A for Arran- a particularly fine 14 year old expression in our opinion, which quickly sold out.  

The Arran itself was deliciously light in character, full of orchard fruit, caramel malt and zest. When looking at the range of Arrans available We wouldn't hesitate to recommend the 10 year old to anyone looking to experience a single malt for the very first time (a steal at around £30) and the 14 year old continues to develop the distinctly fruity softness to another degree. 

In fact, we came to associate Arran with the flavours of summer, despite there being a host of other more robust offerings including a host of sherry and wine finishes available, alongside the lighted peated Machrie Moor and the spicy, slightly spirity Devil's Punch Bowl. 

The distillery's newest offering, a 17 year old, is the oldest expression to date (continuing the countdown to next year's 18 year old, after the official release of a 16 year old last year) and marks another turning point in the its very own spirited journey.  But rather than focus on the full fat, buttery rich sweetness of first fill bourbon to give all those lovely light summery notes, this release is made up from sherry hogsheads.    

So where does it fit into the canon of current releases?

Well, the good(ish) news is that it isn't a million miles from any of the previous ones...

Arran - 17 Year Old -  46% - RRP £65

Nose: Undeniably sweet from the get go, with a clean malty cereal note, tangy orange zest, a hint of golden syrup, some hazelnuts and a little liquorice. It isn't the most complex 17 year old you're likely to encounter and shares a lot of the hallmarks with the distillery's younger expressions.  

Palate: Slightly sharp initially, but with a return of the orange zest, a little spiced sugar syrup, more chopped nuts, fragrant marzipan and green apple. Given time, the orchard fruits we have come to expect develop with soft white peaches and pears coming to the fore. Again, it isn't the boldest palate you'll encounter, but it is certainly in-keeping with the Arran we have grown to love.

Finish: Slightly short, with lingering chopped hazelnuts and a touch of liquorice.  

Overall: Anyone hanging on for Arran's ascent into the realms of deep, dark complexity will be sorely disappointed. But in our opinion, that is unlikely to happen any time soon. The distillery has set its stall out as a characteristically light, easy drinking whisky and, wait for it... they have easily achieved this again with the 17 year old. For the price, you are getting a very dependable and well made whisky (given the cost of the numerous No Age Statement whiskies out there).  It may lack the bold touches other distilleries achieve at this age but with spring definitely joyfully bounding around like a puppy full of penny sweets, whiskies like this most certainly come into their own.  

Fright night In Room 666… Devil’s Punch Bowl Chapter II - An Omen?

Today, you find us in a slightly diabolical place… Literally.    After checking in to our hotel at Gatwick Airport the night before a short day trip to Scotland (which requires a very early start) we find ourselves in the position of staying in the room below:

Talk about 'The Number Of The Best' (Western)

Before we pull the duvets close around our ears and start to worry about the strange knocking noise from the wardrobe (either the sound of Freddie Krueger sharpening his bladed glove, or a slightly rickety ironing board that wasn’t replaced properly) we realised our location was probably the best possible location to review one of the samples of a few recent purchases we have in our travel bags,  – Arran’s second chapter of their well received Devil's Punch Bowl.   

This time around the demonic inspired bottling has been put together from a range of some 27 different casks, including 17 ex-sherry and 10 ex-bourbon casks, four of which have held peated Arran. We’re told that the actual liquid ranges from vintages between 1997 to 2004. 

So with the wind starting to howl outside (possibly just another A320 Airbus landing) and strange shadowy figure lurking outside (as this is a Premier Inn hotel, we’re presuming it’s Lenny Henry) we pour a couple of drams. Will we last the night, or will the chilling Room 666 claim another couple of victims…

Arran - Devil’s Punch Bowl - Chapter II – 6,600 bottles - 53.1% - RRP £72.99

Nose: Young and a little spirit initially, leading into a touch of fresh orchard fruit (greengages and granny smith apples,) plus a slightly dried fruit note.  With a dash of water, a malty cereal note develops, with a touch of dried leaves and a little light smokiness.

Palate: Some feisty ginger hits first, with a softer caramel/honeyed note emerging afterwards with some drying spice. With water, the peat begins to develop. Not overpowering, but certainly present and dry, with a hint of sootiness on the back palate.

Finish: Lingering notes of clean malt and a slight earthy/dryness with a touch of smoke.

Overall: Perhaps more Rocky Horror than The Evil Dead in the fearsome stakes, but all in all, another decent and well put together whisky from Arran, a distillery which continues to punch above its weight.