Arran The Bothy is a brand-new NAS bottling from Quarter casks.
These smaller casks are working well for Laphroaig and other distilleries, and The Arran used them to finish this whisky for at least 18 months after the initial maturation in first-fill bourbon barrels. Smaller casks means more wood contact (around +30%) and supposedly a wider aromatic range.
A bothy is a basic shelter in the Scottish mountains, usually left unlocked for anyone to use.
Arran ‘The Bothy’ Quarter Cask (55,7%, OB 2015, Batch #1, 12.000 btl.)
Nose: rich and fruity, with lots of vanilla and apples and an instant exotic touch of tinned pineapple, tangerine and sweet banana. Some waxy Riesling notes and hints of sugar bread before it becomes spicier (cinnamon, pepper) and lightly floral (orange blossom).
Mouth: creamy and fresh, with the same fruity core (pineapple, pear, grapefruit, lemon) and spicy notes (chilli, ginger, liquorice). Some grainy notes in the background, vanilla syrup and a light herbalness towards the end. There’s also a fragrant hint of new oak shavings but it works well here.
Finish: medium long, with malty notes, peach, flowery notes and a hint of salt.
This is my kind of Arran, I love the combination of the bright fruitiness, the exotic edge and the punchy spices. Some youngish elements but great value. Around € 65.