Arran Amarone Cask Finish Single Malt

Nose: Fragrant but dusky, with a lifted oak note enlivened by cinnamon and floral grape notes. There is a drying, woody and almost salty aroma like cured planks. It reminds me of wooden church pews on a warm Sunday morning. Pears, green apples and fresh-mown grass. Palate: A quite perfectly smooth sweet and dry arrival with plum and cinnamon notes. Richer fruits emerge as it develops, taking the palate on a journey from dry to sweet and back again. Dark cherries, almond paste, walnut loaf, Turkish coffee, dark 90% chocolate, dried apricots, plums and a malty sweetness. An amazing texture that is full and sweet whist being simultaneously dry and almost astringent. There are some cunning tannic elements at work that are magical in their effect. Finish: Medium. The sweet character turns dry temporarily, but relaxes to leave a sweet dark fruity aftertaste. A dry, earthy and complex whisky. It's quite remarkable, but of the three Arran cask-finishes I've just tasted (sauternes, port and amarone) this is the most difficult to engage, and was the one that I thought really improved with a little water. Dilution instantly relaxes this whisky, balances the astringent tannic notes that appear right through the profile, and a sweet grape note appears on the palate. While a purist might argue that this is actually not a positive thing, I felt that the whisky blossomed and came into its own, as if it was almost relieved to be under less stress. It's probably the least approachable of the three cask finishes, but all deserve a solid 4 stars (however the sauternes cask finish is my favourite). (tasted from a 30ml sample). "Very Good" : 86/100 (4 stars)

The nose starts with simmering apple cider with whole cloves and cinnamon sticks along with caramelized pears and balsamic strawberries then light florals, dark chocolate covered almonds and mild sea salt followed by plums, sour cherries and tangerine that transitions to mild black tea with medium ethanol burn. The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting with creamy tropical fruits before a moderate spice that slowly fades to balsamic strawberries, black cherries and caramelized peaches then light florals, dark chocolate covered almonds, mild smoke and seaside rocky minerality followed by sautéed cinnamon apples, tangerines and grilled pineapple rings that transitions to mild black tea with medium ethanol burn. The finish is medium length starting with a mix of tropical fruits and slightly sour red berries that fades to seaside minerality, dark chocolate and slightly bitter black tea. This is the last of the trio of Arran samples that were generously provided by @soonershrink and is another delicious dram that combines creamy citrus with sour berries along with mild seaside minerality and mildly bitter black tea. Out of the trio, I like this slightly better than the port finish but it doesn't strike the wonderful balance that I found on the sauternes finish and leans more into a sour and spicier profile than I prefer. At a price of around $80, it's another well-priced dram from Arran that could be better appreciated by a palate less averse to sour and spice than mine, but for me I'd likely stick with the phenomenal sauternes finish if I'd be reaching for a bottle of Arran under $100.

The nose is interesting. Strawberry, berry liquor.. it's one of those times I really get annoyed I can't put a finger on what I'm tasting or smelling. There is something else it reminds me of. Stronger on the ethanol but a few drops of water calm it down. The finish is strong enough to almost balance it out. It's not crafted nearly as well as the Balblair I had last night. I think I'd compare it to the Tyrconnell 10 sherry. Loads of flavour but rougher round the edges; if you'd had a few drams you'd definitely rate it higher than if it's first up as your tongue needs to be numb to the ethanolly nature. I'm not a nose man but I prefer the nose to the palate in this case. If I could vapourise and inhale this one I would. Red current gummies someone noted which matched what I smelt or sweet fruit compote (wohoo I had an original thought). It's almost like someone crossed mild chilli peppers and strawberries. Anyway off my meandering soapbox and on to rating. Nose 4.5. Taste 3.5...rating 3.75 it is. A rare dram where the quality of the nose pulls the palate off the floor, dusts it up and makes the combined package more than average. Afterthought: I went away did drunk dad trampoling with the kids and tried it again. Taste improved a fair bit..psychology, air, my tongue numbing to the ethanolliness or the chimay and garage project dessert lager all started kicking in..or something else but I've adjusted my taste rating up to 3.5. Overall rating stays the same.

This is the second of three cask finishes for the evening. I have added a new entry on Distiller as the new branding and introduction to core offerings probably deserves representation over the old bottling. N: Apple and pear are frontrunners backed by darker red fruit and chocolate. Dig a little deeper and the malt is there. P: Chocolate, malt, dark fruits and cranberry, a little cinnamon and possibly a touch of coffee. A woody note is to be found amongst the richness that softens and deepens things. A single drop of water lets something slightly bitter like a black tea add some more interest. F: Medium. Creamy texture with bright juicy fruits like stewed pears and apple, with no surprise, a lovely Arran ginger note. Quite delicious. This may as well be Arrans autumn whisky to the spring time Sauternes. This Amarone cask has a saltiness that is there sometimes and sometimes not. The mouthfeel is exciting. Somehow plump and juicy yet drying at the same time. It keeps me going back for more, and surely that is a sign of brilliance? I don’t feel its as nuanced or refined as the Sauternes, but I wonder if I really care? Another Arran, another testament to how hard they rock. Distiller whisky taste #48

I’ve always appreciated Arran – but this one is my favorite expression yet. The nose is a total bouquet: floral, polished wood, and the scent that fills the room when you open up a new package of Albanese gummy bears. The palate’s notes are tantalizing. I taste raisins, dried pineapple, malty donut, salted melon, mangosteen, and drying heather. It boasts all this while being well integrated. It is luxuriant but not avant garde, cool but not eccentric. The finish blossoms, spreading like a sun-kiss, with a surprising hint of sea spray. This whisky is emblematic of why I can’t (and don’t want to) get away from single malt scotch. It amazes me how one single malt can be so different and uniquely its own compared to one that is produced just a quick ferry ride away in Campbeltown, for instance. Scotch has so much to offer; the land and the craft have so much to offer.

The nose has bruleed peach, black licorice, cherry saltwater taffy, dark chocolate. The palate is full of fruits, cherry, cranberry, peach, candied ginger, dark chocolate, Christmas spices. The finish is maybe a smidge more bitter than I would like. Maybe. @DrRHCMadden was spot on with the description of this as the autumn whisky to the springtime Sauternes finish. I think I prefer the springtime Sauternes, but it may be that the lingering Oklahoma heat going into October hasn't got me feeling autumny yet. Still, this is quite enjoyable. Lovely rose color. The proof is appreciated. The texture is good. Seems like Arran can do no wrong.