Arran 24 Years (1996) - Ralph Steadman X Cask 88
Whisky is art - this sentence is more than just an empty phrase when it comes to the exclusive Ralph Steadman Collection from Cask 88. Not only is matured Scotch bottled here, but a piece of creative expression is brought into the bottle at the same time. Each bottling in the series features hand-drawn artwork by the legendary artist Ralph Steadman. The Arran is about the distilling process and the introduction of the spirit safe: "The application of intense heat to a complex chemical concoction is an indispensable process essential to whisky making. A critical moment in its history in Scotland was the introduction of spirit safes, a physical lock to protect against widespread excise avoidance."
The panel
Mean 90.0 · spread 2
Value for money 0/5
- Distillery
- Lochranza
- Bottler
- Cask 88
- Type
- Single Malt
- Region
- Isle of Arran
- Country
- Scotland
- Age
- 24 years
- Strength
- 44.7% ABV
- Character
- rich
Tasting
Nose
The first impression? Heavy and sweet - but by no means bold. It is a nose that needs space and deserves respect. A dense sherry flavour fills the room, dominated by sultanas and dates. Underneath lies a delicate, almost melancholic fruitiness: candied red apple, morello cherries, a hint of forest honey. Leather brings substance, grounding, history. This is not a beginner's whisky - but something with depth, with time.
Palate
At first sip, there is a creamy softness, almost buttery. And then - a brief moment of surprise: the mouthfeel is somewhat thinner than expected. Not a disadvantage, but a surprise. What follows is a quiet blossoming: a spicy, almost crisp texture, then a lovely fruity-sweet phase. Sultanas, dates again, then a delicate hint of wineiness - as if you were thinking of dark port for a moment. And then comes the unexpected: salted caramel. Not loud, but there. Like a final bar in an almost fading melody.
Finish
The finish is long. Not in volume, but in resonance. The oak appears late, but firmly. Spice builds up - fine notes of gingerbread, speculoos, a wintery warmth. No smoke, no spiciness. Instead: structure, memory, reverberation.
Verdicts
Marcel
This Arran isn’t a loud firecracker but rather a refined companion that impresses with plenty of character and a profound aromatic depth. It surprises with its gentle elegance and invites you to savor and explore – a whisky that doesn’t shout but whispers, winning your heart in the process.
Sascha
Technically, the Arran 1996 is impressive with a remarkable balance between sweet sherry notes and spicy oak, even though the mouthfeel remains surprisingly light. Its complex structure and long, multi-layered finish showcase precise craftsmanship, making it an exciting representative of the Isle of Arran with a solid maturation profile.
What it is worth
No auction record for this distillery, so we cannot tell you what this bottle is worth. We would rather say that than guess.