Whisky: Arran 22 Year 1996 "Old & Wise"

Country/Region: Scotland/Islands

ABV: 50.9%

Cask: Sherry Hogshead

Age: 22 Years (Distilled 7 Feb. 1996, Bottled 5 July 2018)

Nose: Tropical and floral, citrus fruits, green coconut, maritime, wood/sandalwood.

Palate: Medium-bodied and crisp with hibiscus, hints of earth, floral, green mango, maritime on the finish.

Finish: Long and lingering with floral sugars and salt.

Score: 8

Mental Image: Edible Tropical Flower Salad

Narrative & Notes: Brimming with tropical florals and fruits, the aroma painted a picture of Papeete harbor c. 1890; Tahitian gardenia blooming down the street, fragrant plumeria blowing in from the inland mountains, while cargos of oranges, limes, and mangos sit in wooden crates. Hibiscus and sandalwood taffy? The flavor profile reprised many of these notions: plumeria, tiare, sandalwood, and hints of earthy clay. The floral quality lingered with salt through the finish— a kiss of violet or lavender on the salty sea breeze.

I heard that this Arran was particularly epic— a fantastic example of how a refilled sherry cask highlights the spirit's inherent tropical fruit and floral qualities. My buddy at Scotch & Sheen was not overselling the quality of this specific cask. And boy, not buying this when I had the chance might be one of my few legitimate whisky regrets. Not the sort of regret like— boy, I wish I had bought up a bunch of Springbank ten years ago or Port Ellen twenty years ago or Rare Malts releases thirty years ago— but a more real regret, I could have grabbed this bottle and just passed on the opportunity.

I can usually fight off the FOMO that seemingly bombards us every day— whisky lust is a hell of a drug, and one can quickly end up with more bottles than one can ever drink. While I wish I had grabbed this Arran, there are others I wish I had skipped, and I try to remember those bottles any time I feel the FOMO bubbling up.

Overall, a delightful bottle— I am glad I got to try it, and I am happy to know that there are tons more great malts out there that I will get to try and many more I never will.

Image Credit: Scotch Whisky Auctions