They may well be one of the younger
boys on the whisky block, but there’s certainly nothing adolescent, juvenile or
inexperienced about the drams on offer from Arran.

I have to admit that it wasn’t up until
a couple of years ago that I developed a true appreciation for all things Arran.
I had been aware of the brand and I’d enjoyed the occasional glass of their
very palatable 10 Year Old. But it wasn’t until I experienced and was blown
away by their 15th Anniversary bottling that this occasional dramming flirtation
became something more permanent on my whisky horizon.

Since then it has quite literally been
a case of not looking back, as I’ve been fortunate in being able to enjoy a whole clutch of their previous
and new releases. One highlight being their 14 Year Old bottling which has
provided much solace through the largely unseasonal sporadic spurts of summer
that we’ve experienced this year.

The nose kicks off with bold yet balanced waves of vanilla
and pear infused oak, followed by a multitude of summer berries and dried
fruits floating around in a shallow and subtle pool of rose water.

A big wedge of warm malt loaf spread with a thick oozing
glug of honey makes for the next set of sensations, along with a tin of
peaches in syrup and a bubbling hot pan of winter spiced caramel.

A subtle coastal element then kicks in along with an
infusion of galangal and preserved lemons, followed by the distant aroma of a summer
fruit sherry trifle.

Desiccated coconut and a tin of
condensed milk, prior to being made into bars of coconut ice make for the next
set of delights, along with an infusion of dry grass and freshly chopped parsley.

The palate kicks off with flowing waves of sweet oak and cardamom
infused honey, followed by fresh mint, ground black pepper, wood spice and a
bowl of vanilla infused poached pears drizzled with melted 70% Divine dark
chocolate.

The fresh citrus twang from a lemon curd tart then kicks in,
along with a palatable homely hug of warm apple and hazelnut cobbler, and a big garish wedge of
Jamaican spiced fruit bun.

Restrained coastal elements make their
way back and forwards throughout the tasting of this dram, delivering a superb
and assertive level of balance. Then subsequently help to provide a springboard for
all the aforementioned delights to reappear and mingle at their leisure whilst delivering
a lusting long linger-ette of a finish.