Following the Arran 10, I felt like this was my next logical place to go on my Arran journey. The 10 was a clean, fruity Island malt with a Highland profile. I’m expecting more of the same but with a bit more richness and depth. Let’s check it out. Nose: Green apple, pear, and apricot right off the bat. Gentle honey, vanilla, malt, toffee, and butterscotch roll in behind that. Some toasted and almond and walnut give it a more robust feel. Sugar cookie and ginger snap. Cantaloupe. Oak, cinnamon, and white pepper spice. Plenty oak and some cinnamon Palate: Plush plum with some grape and raisin. More of the green apple, pear, and apricot. Same for the vanilla, toffee, and malt. There is also some orange and lemon citrus. Peach sweet tea. Walnut and toasted almond. A nice honeydew note. Pineapple and coconut. Sugar cookie. Some peanut butter, and it’s worth noting this is a high-viscosity, chewy whisky. Finish: More of the orchard fruit: green apple, pear, and apricot. Sugar cookie, honey, vanilla, toffee, peanut butter. Toasted almond and walnut. Orange and pineapple. Oak. More of the orange and lemon citrus. Cinnamon, white pepper, clove, and nutmeg to boot. Moderate length. This is about what I was expecting—and about the best I could have hoped for. At its core, this reads as a more mature version of the 10-Year in terms of flavor profile, which makes sense because that’s what it is. But the statement stands. This takes the essence of the flagship 10 and makes it more robust and well-rounded. It’s an excellent malt. And for only $80, it’s well worth the price of entry. I had this slated at a 4/5 before factoring VFM, which earned this one an extra quarter star. It’s a damn shame this has been discontinued. It’s excellent stuff. If this sounds remotely appealing, I suggest buying on sight because it will deliver.