angstrom
Arran 10 Year
Single Malt — Islands, Scotland
Reviewed
March 25, 2022 (edited July 14, 2022)
4.0 stars - Excellent, 750 ml bottle.
Let’s be clear. The Distiller expert score is old and outdated. With the 2019 rebrand, we actually have a higher quality product. In fact, I have transcribed a little know audio recording from one of Arrans marketing meetings:
VP: This is a brand new distillery and we need ideas on how to stand out in a crowded market.
Intern: Let’s make a whiskey that doesn’t suck.
VP: Sounds risky. How would that even work?
Intern: 46% ABV, non chill filter, no added color, mostly bourbon barrel, we can even print the label in braille as a sign it is very accessible and progressive.
VP: We need to keep costs down.
Intern: We can bottle it at 10 years.
VP: People love old whiskey.
Intern: Seems like Glenmorangie 10, Talisker 10, Ardbeg 10, and Springbank 10 are doing OK.
VP: That will never work.
Intern: OK. Sorry, boss.
VP; OK, gents, what we are going to do is make a whisky that doesn’t suck…
I love this bottle. Everything about it is honest. Even the flavor description (“Rich, honeyed, malted. Soft vanilla & coconut flavor. Citrus fruit freshness, orchard fruits, and hazelnuts.”) is exactly correct.
50.0
USD
per
Bottle
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@angstrom look forward to hearing your thoughts on those bottles. They make great stuff!
@LouisianaLonghorn maybe I better pick it up now. After a long drought, my favorite local store has the whole Arran line in stock. Picked up the Sauternes and Bothy. The also have the Port, Amarone, Barrel Reserve, Sherry and 18 Year.
@angstrom let me know if you find a bottle. I can only find the 10 in my neck of the woods and my go to online retailers are sold out.
@LouisianaLonghorn I am just stating to work my way through the Arran line. Reminds me of a more muscular Glenmorangie. Hopefully will pick up the 18 year in a couple months.
I just bought a bottle of this and I’m getting to know it. Excellent, complex, and at times challenging whisky. Very much worth the purchase of a full bottle.
Arrans to recommend? Literally all of them. Absolutely brilliant. An eye for quality and consistency at Arran that translates to exquisite whisky across the board.
@Ctrexman I am three drams into the Arran Sauternes finish. Very different from GM D’Or. The jury is out; very musty aroma, like moldy grapes that started to spontaneously ferment. Seems to be opening up in a good way with some air.
Ive had Machrie Moor, 14yr, Lochranza Reserve and all were very good. kicking myself I didnt grab the Sauternes finish when I saw it
@Ctrexman Which other Arrans would you recommend? Used to see a bunch on the shelves, now I mainly see just the 10 yr and 18 yr.
Arran is so consistently good across the range
Great review! This and Deanston 12 are very high VFM.
God, this is good. Similar to Glenmorangie 10 yr, Monkey Shoulder, and CB Orchard House. Beats them all.