Arran Explorers Series Drumadoon Point
From the distillery website
The Arran Explorers Series is a collection of limited edition expressions of The Arran Single Malt. Each edition celebrates the outstanding scenic beauty and diversity of nature on the Isle of Arran.
To the west of the island you will pass through the pretty coastal village of Blackwaterfoot. North of the village, the main road leaves the coast for a few miles and bypasses Drumadoon Point. The scenery of the headland is breathtaking with a raised beach and dramatic cliffs formed from basalt columns.
This particular expression has been maturing for the last 23 years in ex Sherry Puncheons sourced directly from Jerez from a respected small producer who shares our values. The resulting whisky perfectly captures the impressive and dramatic scenery of this part of the island. Take your senses on an adventure around the Isle of Arran.
Nose: A burst of sweet apple with an underlying maltiness – a classic expression of well-aged Arran. The sweet notes linger and are enriched by baked pastry and a dusting of icing sugar (think Apple Strudel). Rich and nutty in the background, bringing to life the influence of the casks used.
Palate: An initial wave of sweetness followed by spice; Spiced apple, cocoa powder and star anise. Flavours of dark chocolate and raisins also start to develop, creating a beautiful balance between Arran’s signature style and sherry cask maturation.
Finish: A long and warming finish, reflecting the sweetness and spice found on nose and palate.
Bottled at 49.5% Vol.
Tasting Notes:
Appearance: Deep gold, forms beads which falls as slow, thin legs
Nose: Baked apple, citrus fruit, tropical fruit, butter pastry, vanilla, almonds and a little dried fruit.
Palate: Starts where the nose left off, initial sweetness from caramel baked apple, the tropical fruit comes to the fore, particularly roasted pineapple and a little banana. Then follows a second wave consisting of ginger and cinnamon spice, black liquorice, dark chocolate, dried fruit, light oak nuttiness and a hint of worn leather.
Finish: Long and lingering, a combination of lemon citrus, milk chocolate, booze-soaked raisins, cinnamon and ginger spice.
Summary: Lovely fruity nose, rich and rounded followed by a combination on the palate of that signature Arran fruitiness and a long maturation in ex-sherry puncheons. Despite that maturation period this is by no means a sherry bomb, it's a very well balanced whisky which adds to rather than dominates the typical character of the Arran spirit.
It's a lovely whisky, rich, complex and extremely enjoyable. Bottled at a very respectable 49.5%, water adds a little creaminess but this is one of those whiskies which really doesn't need it. The only negative is that it's far harder to get hold of these days, but if you get the opportunity I would recommend you don't pass it up.
If you would like more information on this whisky, or any of the other Arran Malts, follow the link to the company website.
