 |
| All the Arrans Available in Malaysia. |
Background:
- Opened in 1995 - to put things in perspective, the oldest bottle that they technically can have today if barreled then is 19. So it is a relatively new distillery.
- It is located at the East of the village of Lochranza at the North of the Isle of Arran. Yes, the whisky took after the island's name.
- An independent distillery - ie privately owned and not owned by the big boys.
- Founded by Chivas Brothers’ retiring managing director, Harold Currie.
- The only malt whisky distillery on the Isle of Arran (since the last legally run distillery, ‘Lagg’, was closed in 1837... that's about 158 years ago!)
- Water used in the distillery is sourced from Loch na Davie, supposedly home to the purest water in all of Scotland.
- Its single malts are non-chill filtered, which means that it will cloud in a cooler temperature.
The pair of eagles featured in the logo are not just for the sake of random design. The pair of Golden Eagles actually nests near the distillery and its sighting disrupted the distillery's construction work because they were a protected species.
Region:
An Island whisky, but not islay, it is not meant to be peaty, except for one expression produced specially with peat.
Tasting profile:
"Fruity, floral and fresh."
Arran is generally easy to drink - I was surprised at how easy it goes down at such a young age. If you like those fruity sort of whisky, or have a preference towards Speysides, you're gonna like this really easily.
Arran is generally easy to drink - I was surprised at how easy it goes down at such a young age. If you like those fruity sort of whisky, or have a preference towards Speysides, you're gonna like this really easily.
Expressions available in Malaysia:
(All 700ml)
1. Arran Malt Original 43% RM220 - it's funny that I can't find any review about this online. It's as if it doesn't exist.
2. Arran 10 Year Old 46% RM270
2. Arran 10 Year Old 46% RM270
3. Arran 12 Year Old Cask Strength 53.9% RM299 - released in batches. There are also other variations to the 12.
4. Arran 14 Year Old 46% RM335
5. Arran 17 Year Old (limited edition) 46% RM435 - only 9k bottles released.
6. Arran Sauternes Wine Cask Finish 50% RM299
7. Arran Amarone Wine Cask Finish 50% RM299
8. Arran Port Wine Cask Finish 50% RM299
9. Arran Machrie Moor Peated 46% RM279 - released in batches, currently in its 5th batch, am unsure which batch we have available in Malaysia, sorry.
10. Arran Millenium Cask 53.5% RM378 - only 7,800 bottles released.
11. Arran Gold Malt Whisky Cream Liqueur 17% RM129
 |
| Just to give you an idea of where Isle of Arran is, because I didn't know either |
So... what should you get?
If you were by a any chance wondering which one I liked, out of the flight of 10,14 and Sauternes which I've tried, I liked 14 the most. I could tell by how I wouldn't stop asking for refills. That's not to say that the 10 or Sauternes were not good. It's just a matter of preference. The 10 is a really good introduction to Arran and just look at the 12's ABV man. It's quite cost effective, isn't it? :P
Sources tell me that the 17 is running real low, so get your grubby hands on it. This is the 17 that will go into the 18 which is targeted to be released next year (2015).
Also, if you enjoy Baileys or Amarula, I highly recommend the Arran Gold. It is delicious, creamy and not too sweet.
 |
| A closer look at the Arran Gold. |
Any of the Single & Available outlets in Plaza Damas, Mercato or BSC as well as selected locations like The Whisky Bar, Rabbit Hole & Mezze.
Sources & For More:
