Arran Port Cask Finish

I'm not a big fan of NAS whisky's in general, but at least there's some information on the maturation on the website (8 years + finish). On the bottle it says natural colour and non-chill filtered, although there isn't much "Scotch Mist" to be seen when you add water, so probably still some mechanical filtering. going on.

The nose is fruity (cherries, some vague cinnamon notes) and a bit sharp because the high ABV, but give it some time and/or water and it'll mellow down.

The cherries are also present on the palate, along with some savoury notes (neat) and some creamyness (with a generous splash of water) and a slight onset of milk chocolate.

The milk chocolate really comes to the fore on the finish. Reminds me of a brand we (used to?) have in the Netherlands (Koetjesrepen!). Cherries remain in the nose on the background.

Not a very complex whisky, but a good one, at a fair price for the quality, bottled as it should be!

27th August 2021

I was expecting so much more.

13th August 2021

I had high hopes. On irst tasting my Hope's were a bit dashed .
First impression was a very "thin" spirit that had not much going for it st all .
However ..
I've sat with it and shared alongside every sip o my dram a wee bit of dark chocolate. Now were talking .
It starts talking to you then.
Good luck and remember your dark chocolate along with your dram .

10th November 2020

I really dislike this dram. Its so harsh - get a different port cask or different arran.

28th September 2020

Its superb....thin I dont get. It certainly has a bit of alcohol burn . To the cynics try putting a drop of water in and let it sit in the glass for 20m or so it softens out beautifully! . Becoming oily and very rich.

16th September 2020

Not good at all - very harsh, not sweet, watery.

6th August 2020

Really disappointed as I love a port finish. Very harsh, needs a good bit of water, sour grapefruit is the main note for me. Ok for the money and thirty euros like the guy below mentioned is ok, but £46?

17th February 2020

Aroma of vanilla and oak. In the mouth initially the citrussy (grapefruit yes, why not) and peppery character of the young spirit presents itself followed by waves of oakiness, red fruit and citrus, with pepper persisting throughout. Very distinct red berry note in the finish.

I wouldn't call this thin by any means. The port is very well integrated into the malt. The Arran character and the 8 years of virgin oak barrel aging really claim a prominent place, while the port influence is more nuanced.

Complex for it's age. I've had many lesser malts that were 12 years of age. I managed to pick this up for €30,- but wouldn't have complained if I'd paid double.

17th December 2019

Brilliant. Luscious. Velvety.
Intrigued by some of the other reviews!!

8th June 2017

Easy to drink crisp and tasty

30th January 2016