Vintage Bottlers just released this Arran 1996. We already reviewed an excellent Arran 1997 from the same bottlers, but that was a more active sherry cask with a significantly darker colour. This one is less intense.
Arran 27 yo 1996 (48,7%, Vintage Bottlers 2024, Oloroso sherry cask #365, 208 btl.)
Nose: very creamy, with hints of butter cream, shortbread, mixed with slightly sharper notes of paraffin and wet chalk. Subtle hints of floral honey. Then plenty of yellow apples and melons, lemon custard and some green leafy notes. Very natural. Hints of cornflakes and oranges too.
Mouth: quite round, with a really nice texture. Hints of bright peaches and more apples, as well as custard and a a mild nuttiness from the sherry. A toasted, almost smoky hint in the distance. Then plenty of oats, with more cornflakes, hints of vanilla cake and toffee. White pepper and raisins in the end.
Finish: medium length, showing some blonde sugar, citrus, malty notes and hints of tart berries.
Solid whisky, all very natural and consistent from nose to finish. There’s not much Oloroso to be found, but we’re not complaining. Nothing exceptional, just an easy-drinking dram. Still available from Vintage Bottlers.