Arran 25 Years (2020)
Since 1995, a young distillery has been maturing on the Isle of Arran, which is now one of Scotland's most exciting destinations. This 25-years single malt represents not only a quarter of a century of cask ageing, but also the entire life story of a distillery that is almost as old as its product.
The panel
Mean 86.0 · spread 0
Value for money 0/5
- Distillery
- Lochranza
- Type
- Single Malt
- Region
- Isle of Arran
- Country
- Scotland
- Age
- 25 years
- Strength
- 46% ABV
- Character
- delicate
Tasting
Nose
The first nosing surprises with an unconventional composition. Fresh leather meets solid peach notes, a combination you don't find in your glass every day. Then the next twist: gummy bears. Yes, floral, fruit jelly-like nuances are indeed reminiscent of childhood. But before you lose yourself in nostalgic memories, nutmeg comes to the fore and directs the orchestra into distinctly spicier realms. The oak is excitingly integrated, not dominant, but as a structuring force in the background. This nose is simply different, it doesn't follow any familiar pattern, it composes its own melody.
Palate
The peach dominance continues on the palate, this time velvety and ripe, as if you had bitten into a fully ripe fruit straight from the tree. Light berry undertones join in, reminiscent of raspberries or red currants, lending the sweet peach a pleasant freshness. The oak is subtle, weaving fine tannins through the fruitiness without ever becoming intrusive. Honey drips through the composition, connecting the individual elements into a harmonious whole. The fruity sweet profile is accentuated by a slightly perfumed note reminiscent of rose petals or jasmine.
Finish
The finish is medium-long and develops from the fruitiness on the palate into an increasingly dry, spicy direction. The oak, which previously acted discreetly in the background, now takes the lead. Spicy oak tannins coat the tongue, accompanied by the characteristic pungency of black pepper. The nutmeg, already present on the nose, returns and gives the finish a warming, multi-layered complexity.
Verdicts
Marcel
A whisky that surprises with its playful composition of peach and nutmeg, yet at times feels almost too delicate to fully convince. The Arran 25 brings joy to the glass, even if it doesn’t always take a clear stance – a charming, multifaceted enjoyment with its quirks and edges.
Sascha
Structurally well balanced, this 25-years Arran reveals a complex maturation that harmoniously blends fruity and spicy notes. Still, it lacks a definitive focus in its overall balance, causing the character to seem somewhat diffuse at times.
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.