Arran 15 Rare Batch 4th Release - Single Malt Whisky, 70cl

Distillery/Brand: Arran
Expression: Rare Batch 15 4th Release
Spirit: Single Malt Whisky
Region: Island
Volume: 70cl
Alcohol: 54.4.2% ABV
Peated: 20PPM
Non-Chill Filtered
Natural colour

The island known as ‘Scotland in Miniature’ has 2 sister distilleries, Lochranza in the north which produces the Arran unpeated Single Malt Whisky, and Lagg in the south which produces heavily peated Lagg Single Malt Whisky.

Arran is a 20 by 10 mile island in the Firth of Clyde, nestled between the Ayrshire coast and the Mull of Kintyre. It boasts characteristics of the Highlands, the Lowlands and the Western Isles so is in a unique position to create drams that reflect many regional influences. The landscape of Arran very much shapes the drams: the rugged mountains, the coastal farmlands, the pure Scottish water and the crisp seaside air.

The first spirit ran through the Lochranza Distillery in the afternoon of 29th June 1995. In July 1998, the first cask of Arran Single Malt Whisky was opened - the first legal dram on Arran for over 160 years. The first 10 year old was released in the Spring of 2006 and remains at the centre of the Arran range. In December 2010, the first peated Arran expression was released - Machrie Moor which was the start of journey towards the heavily-peated Lagg Distillery. The southern Lagg Distillery began production in the Spring of 2019 after being closed since 1840. For centuries, illegal Arran drams, known as 'Arran Waters’, were smuggled to the mainland from Lagg.

This Arran Single Malt was produced from malted barley peated to 20ppm and fully aged in ex-Oloroso Sherry Butts. These casks were sourced from a well-respected producer in the Jerez region of Spain whose family has been making Sherry there for generations. This Arran Single Malt has been maturing in these precious casks for the past 15 years. This stunning dram is presented in a beautiful wooden cylinder and is limited to 4,024 bottles globally.

Nose: Citrus fruits, brown sugar, oak. Dry bonfire smoke.

Palate: Smooth and rich. Very oak forward, sweet citrus fruits coming through with a hint of spice.

Finish: Long finish with lots of oak. Initial sweetness turning into dry smoke which lingers. Complex layers - a drop of water opens up red fruits.