Arran Port Cask Finish Single Malt

Deep molasses and tobacco and fruit notes. Very nice.

The nose starts with powdered sugar dusted strawberries, caramelized mango and dehydrated apricots then light florals and mild sea salt followed by cherries jubilee, pineapple and lemon zest that transitions to mild baking spices and light oak with medium ethanol burn. The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting with creamy tropical fruits before a moderate spice that slowly fades to powdered sugar dusted raspberries and dehydrated apricots then light florals and seaside rocky minerality followed by black cherry jam, pineapple and lemon zest that transitions to mild baking spices and light oak with medium ethanol burn. The finish is medium length starting with sweet creamy tropical fruits that fade to red berries, a mild peppery spice and mild baking spices. Overall, this is another delicious offering by Arran that the port influence isn’t overpowering which allows for a balance of tropical fruits and red berries along with some mild spices that suffers on the palate and finish with a higher spice than I prefer. After trying Arran’s Sauternes finish, I was excited to see how the Port finish turned out, but this unfortunately didn’t turn out as well. At a price of around $80, it’s a well-priced single malt that would be better suited for palates that enjoy a higher spice than mine and I am very grateful to @soonershrink for the generous sample to be able to try.