We’ve had fairly a number of good casks from the early years of the Arran distillery. The Arran cask #757 for TWE springs to thoughts for example, and at the moment we’re having the same 1996 classic.
It’s unusual that they by no means appear to reveal the kind of cask on the label. On this case I belief the data on a number of retailer web sites. Nonetheless the distillery claims its inventory data are sometimes unclear (“we consider it’s a wine cask of some form”). I’ve bother believing that. Bear in mind this distillery earned a few of its fame by quite a lot of unique casks which was once completely described. Perhaps they didn’t use licensed sherry casks again then. Or perhaps they merely want to cover how they received these (good) outcomes…
Arran 25 yo 1996 (50,2%, OB for the UK 2021, first fill sherry hogshead #905, 265 btl.)
Nostril: very fragrant sherry, stuffed with blackberries and strawberry jams, soaked raisins and hints of redcurrants, but in addition displaying peonies and really mild potpourri. Orange oils and mint leaves. Delicate fruit tea and dusty books. A uncommon fashion of sherry, fruity and extremely seductive.
Mouth: actually good once more, although it’s a bit of lighter / thinner than anticipated. Extra (blood) oranges, hints of Moroccan mint, with rose pepper and cloves. On the identical time caramelized nuts within the background, raspberries and tobacco. Properly rounded, nonetheless displaying this floral high notice.
End: lengthy, with roasted malt and chocolate notes, alongside pink fruits and mild oak spice.
I really like this elegant, fruity and virtually floral fashion of sherry. The magic of sherry, with a freshness that you simply don’t see daily. Offered out, I’m afraid, so let’s hope they will discover different comparable casks of their inconsistent observe data 🙂
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