About Arran:

Arran Sherry Cask Whisky hails from the Isle of Arran, off Scotland's west coast, where the Arran distillery has been pumping out cracking drams since 1995. They're a bit of a success story, being the first legal distillery on the island in over a century and a half. Situated in Lochranza, they draw their water from Loch na Davie, which is meant to be some of the purest in all of Scotland.

For this Sherry Cask expression, they've gone and hand-picked some of the finest first-fill sherry hogsheads from top-notch bodegas in Jerez, Spain. It's a testament to their dedication to quality, showcasing how well their distinct Arran spirit marries with those rich sherry influences, all bottled at a solid cask strength without any mucking around with chill-filtration or added colours.

Tasting Notes:

On the nose, Arran Sherry Cask immediately greets you with a rich and inviting aroma, like stepping into a fancy fruit shop with a hint of a sweet bakery. You'll pick up lashings of dried dark fruits – think plump raisins, stewed plums, and even some sticky dates. This is beautifully backed by a warming spice profile, reminiscent of Christmas cake or spiced orange, with a whisper of toffee and perhaps even a subtle menthol note that keeps it fresh. It’s got that classic sherry "oomph" without being overpowering, showing a nice balance with the underlying Arran spirit.

Taking a sip, this whisky is a proper full-bodied dram, showcasing its cask strength with a delightful warmth. The palate is awash with rich fruit flavours, like cherries dipped in dark chocolate and sweet, ripe figs. There's a lovely interplay of sweet and savoury, with hints of salted caramel and a gentle oak influence that provides a backbone to all that fruitiness. It's not just a sugar bomb; there's a complexity there that unfolds with each mouthful, keeping things interesting.

The finish on the Arran Sherry Cask is long and satisfying, leaving a lovely warmth that lingers like a good yarn around a campfire. Those dark chocolate notes come back, along with a touch of baking spices and a faint citrus zest that cuts through the richness, leaving the palate clean. It's surprisingly smooth for its strength, and the combination of luxurious sweetness and subtle spice makes it a cracking dram for sipping neat, or with just a tiny splash of water to truly open it up and let those rich, sherried flavours shine.