Arran Drumadoon Point is the fourth volume in The Explorer Series, inspired by the Shiskine Golf Club and its beautiful surroundings.
This single malt was aged for 23 years in ex-sherry puncheons sourced directly from Jerez from a respected small producer. In volume 2 they explicitely mentioned Bodegas Tradición, but not this time, so I assume it’s a different bodega then?
Arran Drumadoon Point 23 yo (49,5%, OB ‘The Explorers series Vol.4’ 2021, ex-sherry puncheons, 9000 btl.)
Nose: a creamy, very fruity nose. Orange juice, stewed apple, with hints of pineapple and banana, sweet berries and subtle lime blossom. Some vanilla cake, almond paste and raisins. Mead and honeysuckle. Quite luscious and rounded, really good.
Mouth: starts with the same, slightly tropical fruity side and rather oily texture. Stewed apples and pineapples, with a pleasant tart side. Soaked raisins. In a second wave there are baking spices, mainly ginger and cinnamon, with a little star anise. Gets slightly leathery and slightly darker towards the end, on milk chocolate and sweet oak.
Finish: long, with lingering cinnamon, waxed lemons, raisins and a subtle cocoa.
By no means a sherry bomb – this is more about luscious fruits. The oak is also more integrated than in vol.2 so this comes recommended. In fact this is one of the best Arran releases I’ve had in a long time. In high demand but still available from the Arran distillery shop for instance.