I believe this is my first Arran with their new packaging. It is not a mystery that this is one of my all time favorite distilleries, but i was really avoiding this new bottles, since the new marketing is very unappealing, at least for me it is. Having said all that, that has nothing to do really with the "juice" inside of the decanter, i was eager to know if they have lost their touch or if Arran still manages to be great. Luckily for us the fans, It was the latter.
Bottled at cask strength 55.8%abv, this have been matured in sherry casks, and it is non-chill filthered with a lovely copper color.
On the nose, it starts with the most impressive mocha note ever. Tiramisú, coffee, figs and hazelnut. After a first sip, it became more like a dark chocolate madness. Cocoa and "brigadeiros" desserts.
The Palate is fantastic. Tiramisú right away, with the cream and everything. Coffee beans and chocolate. Thick waffer cookies, hazelnut, sawdust. Vanilla cream.
Aftertaste is the perfect complement for a very solid, balanced dram. Dark chocolate and some sulphuric notes. Hazelnut and overall nutty. Bitter Tobacco.
In conclusion, this is definitively a very good single malt. The sherriness is delivered beautifully, the Arran Spirit is a great holder for sherry profiles. Balance is the name of the game here; all of this whisky's parts are perfectly harmonious with each other. My score for this great dram is 92 over 100.