Tasting 4 Arrans

I have always found the Arran/Lochranza Distillery a gem to the whisky-world, as it showed that one can make profit from opening a distillery and basing the income mostly on single malt bottling. Many of the distilleries which were opened in the 70's and about, such as Allt-'a-Bhainne, Auchroisk, Braes of Glenlivet, Pittyvaich, Glenallachie and others were primarily established to be a contributor to blends. And seeing how well Arrans has done must have led way for economic support for distilleries such as Kilchoman, Abhainn Dearg, Glenglassaugh and others popping up or restarting production nowadays. Time to try some more from this distillery.


Arrans NAS 43% OB White label, bronze letters.

Young, watered down Arran, there were some whiskies early on that showed great promise, I hope this one will further that notion. The color is white wine. It smells minty and fresh, peaty, austere, raw, a bit on the wild side. The taste is floral and spirity, burnt, a bit creamy, malt syrup, biscuits, rubber, vanilla. A nice one that seems bot older and higher in strength than what is the case. I got a certain CS-feeling from this youngster.

A savage spirit with a great future: 5


Arran NAS 43% OB Beige label, red letters, Distillery drawing.

Another youngster, a bit darker on the hue. It smells peaty, smoky, floral, peppery, dried onions. The taste is much lighter in this one, some floral notes, greengages, lime, snow peas. Water does not help and it stays much the same, apart from becoming a bit more bitter. This was some of a letdown after the promising first one.

Blend territory, not a good one: 3


Arran NAS 51.4% OB 15th Anniversary Bottling

No age statement, but I can for sure say that it is no more than 15yo:). Arran seems to be coming along very well with their latest 14yo OB, which was a nice whisky as I remember it. The color on this one is golden brown. It smells peaty, I know there is little or no peat added to this whisky in production, but there might be some in the water? Cinnamon, herbs, thyme, rosemary, lamb steak, meaty, nice nosing so far. The taste is thick, cinnamon, licorice, wheat, creamy, really light, light creamy cheese or even creme brulée. The finish is drying, marzipan, orange zest, cinnamon again.

Seems there's quite some sherried whisky in the mix here: 6.5


Lochranza 11yo 1996-2007 57% Hellmann's Naturextrakte

A wine-bottle looking decanter. An independent bottler with a very alternative name. I like it and it brings a bit of fun, opposed to the more traditional, and maybe pompously named IB series. This one is from a sherry cask, and was produced just one year after production started, and two years after establishing the distillery. The color is orange/brown, dark. It smells rich and creamy, leather, prunes, cigars, a sherry beast for sure. I do already believe this one will need a bit of water but I'll try it bare just to be sure. The taste is all on dark chocolate and caramel, cigar smoke, doesn't need any water at all, but when added it deteriorates more than improves the whisky. Still bare it turns very oaky, drying, leather, dry sherry, red paprika.

I think it represents a style that's hard to find at young age: 7.5



Next tasting: Linkwood Distillery