Barrel Bonfire is the second instalment in the four-part limited-edition Signature Series from Arran. The series aims to showcase the diversity of the spirit it produces, with each expression selected by distillery manager Stewart Bowman. As you might have guessed from the name, this edition explores the more heavily peated side of Arran and boasts a peat level of 42ppm. The whisky matured for over five years in a selection of bourbon barrels before being transferred to custom quarter casks from Chicago's Koval distillery, enhancing intense layers of peat alongside charred citrus and sweet vanilla.
Smoked candied nuts, notes of praline, heaps of oaken vanilla, orange wheels and drying bonfire embers.
Oily malt, silky vanilla, warming cinnamon and flamed citrus, with rich, sooty smoke beneath.
Citrus and spices linger alongside peat, vanilla fudge, charred oak and cinnamon sticks.
Sensational bottle, I picked this up from the distillery and do not regret the price. I love the 10 and whilst this may seem steep based on the 10s pricing I think it offers enough variation to justify. Arran + smoke is a winner
