Arran 25 Year Old is one of the oldest whiskies ever released by the Isle of Arran distillery, drawn from casks first laid down in 1995, the year Arran began production. It is a vatting of 35% ex-sherry and 65% ex-bourbon casks, given a final 12 months in first-fill and refill sherry hogsheads, and bottled non-chill filtered at 46% ABV with natural colour.
Arran is one of Scotland's younger distilleries, and its 25 Year Old is a landmark: a whisky that had to wait a quarter of a century for the distillery's own stocks to reach this age. Only 3,000 bottles were made available worldwide, and Whisky Advocate awarded it 93 points.
The sherry and bourbon casks combine beautifully. Rich oak and nutmeg meet baked figs, sultanas and black cherries on the nose, and the palate unfolds from fruit cake, toasted almonds and cinnamon into zesty oranges and mandarins, manuka honey, muscovado sugar and baked apricot, with a hint of white pepper. The finish is creamy and spicy, with dark chocolate, walnuts and dark fruit compote.
The bottle, with its plum-coloured label, is presented in a handsome wooden box printed with Arran's signature, making it a fine gift and a milestone bottle for any collector of island whiskies.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: Rich oak with a gentle nutmeg note; baked ripe figs, sultanas and black cherries.
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Palate: Fruit cake with toasted almonds and cinnamon; oranges and mandarins, manuka honey, muscovado sugar, baked apricots and white pepper.
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Finish: Creamy and spicy with dark chocolate, walnuts and dark fruit compote.
Specifications
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Producer: Arran Distillery
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Style: Single Malt Scotch Whisky, non-chill filtered, natural colour
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Age: 25 years
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Proof / ABV: 92 proof (46% ABV)
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Cask / Finish: 35% ex-sherry and 65% ex-bourbon casks, finished 12 months in sherry hogsheads
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Region: Isle of Arran, Scotland
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Size: 700ml
How to Enjoy It
Pour it neat into a nosing glass and allow a few minutes for the fruit and spice to open; a drop of water brings out the citrus and honey. It pairs well with fruit cake, dark chocolate or a cheese board. As one of Arran's oldest releases, presented in its wooden box, it makes an exceptional gift for a Scotch enthusiast.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Arran 25 Year Old distilled?
Its casks were first laid down in 1995, the year the Arran distillery began production.
What casks were used?
A vatting of 35% ex-sherry and 65% ex-bourbon casks, with a final 12 months in first-fill and refill sherry hogsheads.
What proof is it?
It is bottled at 46% ABV, or 92 proof, non-chill filtered.
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