Two official Arran bottlings. The primary is the second launch within the Signature collection. In a primary part this rested in ex-bourbon casks after which in peated Koval Quarter casks.
The opposite one is a Non-public Cask bottling unique to The Netherlands, via importer van Wees. They selected an 8 12 months previous sherry hogshead.
Arran 11 yo – Barrel Bonfire (50%, OB ‘Signature Collection’ 2024, Version 2, 42ppm peated quarter casks, 14.822 btl.)
Nostril: dry bonfire smoke certainly, with juicy fruit beneath, largely yellow plums, candy pears and hints of orange juice. Vanilla units in, perhaps a touch of barbecued pineapple. A touch of roasted hazelnut and chocolate ganache within the background.
Mouth: fairly spicy, with a peppery onset. In a second wave there’s candy fruit compote. Pears once more, peaches, in addition to some grapefruit after some time. Campfire smoke and charcoal notes, together with toasted oak, hints of natural tea and vanilla. All the time a refreshing tart ingredient too.
End: medium size, nonetheless warmly smoky, with herbs, cinnamon and light-weight lemon.
Merely a pleasant Arran. The innate fruitiness nonetheless manages to remain in focus, even with the peated layer. Nonetheless out there from TyndrumWhisky or Royal Mile Whiskies, amongst different retailers.
Arran 8 yo 2014 (60,2%, OB ‘Non-public Cask’ for The Netherlands 2023, sherry hogshead #2014/1465, 315 btl.)
Nostril: a bit sizzling, and extra closed than I anticipated. Peppery notes blended with cherries and toffee. Caramelized hazelnut. Then a barely aromatic / floral trace of recent wooden shavings comes out, together with a faint bitter trace of sandalwood. Damaged pine branches as effectively.
Mouth: full bodied, fairly sizzling once more. Oak spice stands out. Then toasted notes, croissants and drops of cappucino. Darkish berries, including a pleasant bitter edge. Ultimately a natural bitterness comes ahead, with extra espresso beans.
End: medium lengthy, with a bit of astringency of the wooden, together with liquorice, ginger and tobacco.
A bit tough, for my part. A contemporary, seasoned sherry cask, with numerous newish wooden shining via. Maybe nonetheless a couple of bottles on the market within the Netherlands. Rating: 82/10
