Arran The Robert Burns Single Malt

The nose is quite typical of scotch with malted grain and some floral honeyed fruit, though there's quite a bit of meatiness that borders on smelling like sulfur. There's a fair amount going on on the nose, but it's fairly out of whack with a prominent smell of stinky feet covering up the nice traditional highland notes. The palate is a bit harsh with a questionable balance, but it's better than the nose. There isn't a ton going on on the palate though and the finish is weak. That stinky feet smell comes through as hot dog water. There's aren't any notes here that are good, though the floral bits and hit of lemon zest are OK. The rest is decidedly sub-par. There are some sea-spray flavors that come out more on the palate than on the nose. The complexity really isn't there either. There actually isn't a ton of the grain coming through either. It's just a very traditional scotch profile, but not a very good one. It's kind of drinkable, but really isn't enjoyable. I might be convinced that this is a bad 12 year old, but it doesn't taste older than 10, and really it tastes even younger than that. There's enough sweetness to carry it, but it's quite a bland sweetness. There's some spice, but it doesn't have much particular character (maybe white pepper?). Like Glenmorangie The Original, this has serious flaws, but I can't bring myself to hate it. It's not as good as Glenmorangie The Original, but it's acceptable perhaps. There's a nice bit of toastiness with even a hint of peanut coming through on the finish. It has that sweet, light flavor with fruit and vanilla that's characteristic of bourbon barrel aged scotch, along with a hit of cinnamon bringing up the spice and some smoke. It's hard to justify better than a 12 or worse than an 8 for this. That's a pretty broad range, but I think 9 to 11 is the most likely. Second tasting. The nose is stronger with more going on that that of Arran 10, but the balance is off with clear sulfur (though nothing like Clan MacGregor levels). There's quite a bit of cherry on the nose, somewhat like a moderately young brandy, perhaps a la Symbole National, though not as rich (though still somewhat similar). The palate is fruity and the sulfur isn't too bad. There's some stuff going on here for sure and it's moderately rich. It's more rich and complex than the 10 is, though not by an incredible amount. It isn't very interesting, but it does have some of that apricot in it a bit that's very appealing. For a fairly cheap Scotch, this really isn't a bad choice. I'm upping it to at least a 12. Ooh, the long finish does have some sulfur, so I don't think I can go above a 12.

I don't know about you, but I'm getting to that point where I'm ready to stop buying whisky. Don't get me wrong, I love it. But I'm not seeing inflation. I'm seeing greed. The price increases in the last year alone are astounding. I bought a bottle of Legent a year ago at $35. It's now $50. I bought a bottle of Glenlivet Caribbean for $35 a few months ago. That too is now $50. I was just looking at getting another bottle of Knob 12 which I bought maybe 6 months ago for $60, and it is now $72. These aren't incremental cost of living increases. These are highway robbery. And in the back of my mind, I'm thinking fuck these distillers. Good as your shit is, your shit isn't good enough that I'm going to let you pick my pocket. I have maybe 60 bottles in my collection. I'm 43 years old. I'm trying to do the math to figure out how to parcel out my current collection to last the rest of my life. Then I remember, there's still a lot of inexpensive whisky out there that's good. Take this bottle for example. It's an Arran product. When it was around it was going for $33. Unfortunately when I bought this bottle, it was on clearance and hasn't been in local stores since, and it took me too long to open it. Had I opened it sooner, I would have realized this is perhaps the best sub-$35 bottle of whisky I've ever had. A nice sherried roundness to the nose, not terribly complex but fruity. The palate is strawberries and cream and the finish is long enough to feel like I've just tasted a delicious desert. And the best part is, for the delight it gives me, it doesn't break the fucking bank. So maybe I'm not buying whisky, maybe I'm just shifting my perspective. Maybe complexity is overrated. Maybe age statements are overrated. Maybe, what I'm saying, is I'm going back to researching what the best budget bourbons and ryes and scotches and irish whiskies are (notice I've left off Japanese because frankly budget and Japanese is an oxymoron). And that's it. this might be my shortest review ever. But it's also a manifesto. If you see reviews of complex expensive shit on here going forward, it's likely because I already own it. My overindulgence is done.

I have overlooked this for a long time as I did not realize it was an Arran product. It was always under $40 I just figured it wasnt worth my time. Saw it at the Twin liquor sale for 33 so picked up the bottle and read it was Arran that was all I needed. I enjoy everything from Arran and will always buy what is available. This punches way above weight class. Nose is rich fruit with nice heavy malt and seasoned wood. Not bright or thin despite suspected youth its full and rounded. Palate is creamy malt and dried apricots simmered in some baking spices. Red grapefruit sprinkled with sugar and barrel tannins lead to finish that fades the palate leaving a slightly dry malt/oak/fruit pit residue. A little sharp on the initial taste but not out of line. It has more of a blended malt feel with the notes mixed and not overly complex. Tremendous value I would say this is easily one of the best malts under $40 and I will certainly repurchase. I would of course prefer the 10 yr as well as other Arran offerings to this but the price point is the story here.........87/100......You get the bonus of Robert Burns story/heritage to ponder as well

Lovely little bottle of the good stuff, it doesn't cost too much and it does the job quite well. It is not an outstanding bottle, but I have casually enjoyed it by drinking a small glass each night over the past few weeks. And I liked every single one of them! Fruity nose with hints of fresh apple and apricots, alsof a bit sugary but mostly fruits. Light. Beautiful light brown color, very clear substance. Nice. Thin mouthfeel, quite strong and a bit dusty but I quite like that. Liquorice root. Loads of wood. Honey. It has a small burn, especially the first sip. Clear and fresh afterstaste with a hint of anise seed. Lovely. It has all the colours of emotion and it ticks a lot of boxes. Is it an amazing dram? No, I mean, it is not that distinguished. But it is very likeable. Would buy again.

This young Arran single malt offers great value for what you experience. From the nose to the finish, there is a consistent presence of summer fruits - particularly apples and sultana. Taste is predominantly sweet although there is some lingering tartness to it. Light, refreshing, and no artificial colouring - I think this homage to Robert Burns would make the late Scottish bard proud. Slàinte! NOSE: Fruit cake, vanilla, crème brûlée, pecan, baked pears, toffee, butterscotch, apple orchard, sultana vineyard PALATE: Sultana, McIntosh apples, malt, rhubarb, fresh cream, coconut FINISH: Oak, raisin, sultana, ripened apple, vanilla, hint of milk chocolate Rating: 85/100 Grade: B Good - not a "must", but a nice-to-have.

For me, this whisky is somehow underrated. Starting on the nose with sweet vanilla, but you could also look for seacoast fire - touches of salt and smoke. What may surprise you is that it develops very well as you leave it to breath - it becomes very light but even more fruity with fresh green apple zest. On the palate it is really light, sweet with vanilla, some honey but also with oaky wood spices. What disappointed is the short finish. Unfortunately, all good flavours disappear really quick. For distiller rating it is something like 3,8/5. But out of 100, it is around 83. 🥃