Arran 21 Years (Whisky Show 2018)

The oldest Arran I’ve had so far: Arran 21 Years 1996 bottled for the 10th Anniversary of The Whisky Show by The Whisky Exchange.

Arran 21 yo 1996 (50,2%, The Whisky Exchange – Whisky Show 2018, 217 btl.)

Nose: quite a buttery version, with pastry notes, marzipan and butterscotch. Fruity notes are growing: lots of apples, lemons and peaches. Some spices (pepper, nutmeg) and a little heather perhaps. Wet oak.

Mouth: sweet, fruity onset (peaches, baked apples, hints of mango, lightly tropical), mixed with pepper and gingery notes from the oak, well integrated. Toasted brioche. Getting more zesty after a while (grapefruit, lemon curd, a little grassy touch). Malty end.

Finish: medium, malty, with apples and this lemon and grass combo.

Typical bright fruity notes (including a tropical hint), with a sweet pastry side and a spicy / grassy edge. Simply good whisky. Still available from The Whisky Exchange.

Score: 87/100