Arran 14 Year Old Island Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

This expression from the Isle of Arran distillery appeared in 2010 and one-third of the component whiskies were matured in European oak casks while two-thirds came from American oak. Very fragrant and perfumed on the nose, with peaches, brandy, and ginger snaps, plus vanilla and mild oak. Smooth and creamy on the palate, with spicy summer fruits, apricots, and hazelnuts. The lingering finish is spicy, biscuity, and slowly drying, with just a hint of salt. (GS, Spring 2012, Vol. 21, #1)

Arran has soaring hills and rugged coasts, rich farmland and dense forests, all concentrated into a compact parcel floating in the Firth of Clyde between the Ayrshire coast and the Kintyre peninsula. It’s known as "Scotland in miniature", as it shares some of the characteristics of the Highlands and Lowlands, the mainland and the Western Isles. All of these elements strongly influence the flavors and characteristics of their Scotch. According to the distillery: "The Arran 14 year-old is an immensely popular part of our core range of single malt. It is a perfectly balanced marriage of both first fill sherry and bourbon casks and is a rightly rewarding single malt with depth of character and zest. It captures perfectly all the fresh character of the Arran 10 year-old with an added layer of intensity and fruitiness."