The Isle of Arran Distillers is a recent entry to Scotland, the first legal distillery on the Isle of Arran in 150 years. They produce a damn fine dram, too. If you’re curious about the isle of Arran, look it up. Fascinating history, especially the story of Robert the Bruce who took refuge in a cave and watched a spider try and try again to make a web. So Robert the Bruce persevered, too.
The Arran Malt Sauternes Cask Finish is, like its name says, finished in a Sauternes wine cask, and it gives the scotch a slightly winey taste with an almost oily mouthfeel. The smell is reminiscent of pears and nuts, and the flavor combines the almond smell with bananas, cloves, and raisins. The finish is similar to a good wine with just a hint of wood.
I’m not a scotch expert, but the bottle is almost gone, which shows you how much I like this stuff. It’s good, to say the least. I will be buying more of their stuff in the future.
arran has become one of my favorites too. I happen to also have that Sauternes finished one. For me it’s a little too astringent initially, but if I let it breath for 10 minutes the astringency goes away. –JD
Interesting. I will have to try that. Oh wait, I drank all of it. Dang.
Thanks for the tip, though!