Arran Barrel Reserve

Nose: The Arran Barrel Reserve greets the nose with a rich and inviting bouquet, featuring prominent notes of ripe orchard fruits such as apples and pears, intertwined with sweet vanilla and a touch of honey. There's a subtle hint of citrus zest and a gentle spiciness that adds depth, while the underlying malt character provides a solid foundation. Palate: On the palate, this whisky offers a beautifully balanced and complex flavor profile. The initial sweetness from the vanilla and honey is complemented by the crispness of green apples and a hint of tropical fruits. The mid-palate reveals layers of toasted oak and a gentle nuttiness, leading to a warm, spicy note that lingers pleasantly. The texture is smooth and velvety, making each sip a delightful experience. Finish: The finish is long and satisfying, with the sweet and fruity notes gradually fading to reveal a gentle, warming spice and a touch of oak. The lingering flavors of vanilla, honey, and a hint of sea salt create a harmonious conclusion that invites another sip. Overall: Arran Barrel Reserve is a superbly crafted whisky that showcases the distillery's commitment to quality and flavor. Its rich and complex profile, combined with a smooth and velvety texture, makes it a standout choice for both connoisseurs and casual drinkers alike. With its exceptional balance and depth of flavor, it earns a well-deserved score of 92/100. Score: 92/100

So, i came back to the Scotch Whisky Museum on Edinburgh, and my favorite part is where the tour ends and they let you go into the majestic bar for a free tasting and some other paid jewels. One of the whiskies i have never tried, was this Arran Barrel Reserve, from one of my favorite distilleries, The Arran Malt. Bottled at 43%abv. On the nose, it was very floral. Heather, citric, spicy and chocolate notes. On the palate, it has toffee notes but also the classic pineapple heart from Arran. More sips revealed impalpable sugar. Aftertaste follows the same floral, heathery path, with some pepper spiciness. Overall, a very simple yet good expression fro Arran, i believe this might be one of their cheapest expressions and they still manage to deliver something enjoyable. Nothing to fancy though. My score for it is a solid 80 over 100.

(Good Spirits Company, Glasgow - Virtual Arran Whisky Tasting, Friday 11th September 2020) Nose: Very light, sweet vanilla, biscuity Palate: Slightly ‘hot’, bourbon influence, cereal and biscuit, fudge. Zesty and fresh, some apple fruitiness Finish: Salty and lightly spiced. Sours at the very end. Overall, fresh and zesty with a spicy finish. Unassuming and easy to drink. A session whisky. This came joint 4th of the six whiskies tasted with 5/101 of the vote for favourite.

Nose: Crisp, citrus, crabapple, sweet malt Palate: Thin mouthfeel, sweet and a little bit hot. Lemon meringue pie, vanilla and green apple. Finish: Malty with a bit of sea breeze. Fades fairly quickly. Clean, crisp and satisfying. Perfect for a summer night on the beach. I'm sampling this along with Lagavulin 16 and they are about a polar opposite as you can get in every way. A Scottish island yin yang and somehow the contrast brings out the best in each one.

Nose: fruity & floral, light Palate: lightly fruity, citrus Finish: fruity, spicy and dry like a sea breeze. Nez: fruité, floral, léger en nez Bouche: légèrement fruité, note d’agrumes Longueur: fruité, épicé et sec comme une brise saline

First taste is apricot with some green apple and lemon. The mouthfeel is smooth and buttery. Finishes on a more peppery note and is long and lasting. Overall this is a very pleasant scotch to sip.