This Arran 1995 must be one of the youngest and most affordable releases ever by The Whisky Agency, at least in the regular series. On the other hand the distillery opened in 1995 so it could be one of the oldest expressions around: kinda special after all.
Isle of Arran 16 yo 1995
(53,2%, The Whisky Agency & The Nectar 2012, refill hogshead, 188 btl.)
Isle of Arran 16 yo 1995Nose: aromatic, fruity and pretty complex. Citrus fruits, some almond cake aromas. Marzipan and vanilla. Very sweet raspberry candy in the distance. Not all young and candied though, it also shows leather and spices (cinnamon, ginger). Also hints of hay and wet sand. Tiny coastal notes. Nice.
Mouth: still fresh and sweet, quite a bold attack. Orange sweets. Clear oak now, pepper, light liquorice. Lemon balm and ginger, a few floral notes as well. Nice balance of sweetness, bitterness and spices.
Finish: long and quite hot (pepper, ginger and alcohol). Fixed easily with some water.
Fresh, clean, complex, and nothing covered up with wine or sherry. The best Arran I’ve had so far, simple as that. Around € 70.
Score: 88/100