Whisky : Arran 21 Year; Spec’s Cask Selection

Country/Region : Scotland/Islands

ABV : 48%

Cask : Ex-Bourbon Barrel

Age : 21 Years (Distilled 24 June 1996, Bottled 7 Feb. 2018)

Nose : Soft and subdued notes of toasted oak, baking spice, and dried vanilla beans.  Fresh berries, malty pancakes, and coconut syrup lurk subtly in the background.  Wilted florals, dried fruits, and wet earthy soil develop over time.

Palate : Medium to light body with just a bit of oiliness. Malty toasted pastries dominate the palate along with oaky baking spices— dry cinnamon and ginger powder. Faint herbal and earthy mineral notes hang in the back while vanilla, honey, and unripened green fruits arrive on the end.

Finish :  Lingering soft fruit, vanilla, and honey drenched toast.

Score : 5

Mental Image : Kryptonite Cereal.

Something Better : Cooley 13 Year; The Exclusive Malts (similar malty pasties, more fruits/depth)

Something Similar : Nikka From the Barrel (similar malty/spice, less earthy, more oak)

Something Similar : Arran Bothy Quarter Cask (similar pastry/shortbread, more fruit/vanilla)

Notes :  The second oldest Arran I have had the pleasure of drinking— sadly also one of the more disappointing.  I used to think it was odd that this was bottled at 48% instead of Cask Strength as Spec’s did with its other cask selections.  I have a feeling that at cask strength, some of the faults on this Arran might be even more prevalent.  The body on this is a bit thin and the flavor profile a bit subdued with more spirited heat than you would expect on an Arran so mature.

This is a perfectly pleasant dram to sip on when I want something uncomplicated and not too sweet.  I would never complain about someone pouring me a dram of this— but if I could go back, I would not buy it.  My tastes have certainly changed over the last couple years, but even when I first opened this I was bit disappointed to find so little of the tropical fruits I associate with the distillery.  This needed something a bit more— it likely would have blended well with something sherried to balance against the wine influence.  That said, while I would not buy it again, I also do not regret buying it— it is just fine to sip on as we slip toward longer and warmer summer evenings.