Nose: Fragrant but dusky, with a lifted oak note enlivened by cinnamon and floral grape notes. There is a drying, woody and almost salty aroma like cured planks. It reminds me of wooden church pews on a warm Sunday morning. Pears, green apples and fresh-mown grass. Palate: A quite perfectly smooth sweet and dry arrival with plum and cinnamon notes. Richer fruits emerge as it develops, taking the palate on a journey from dry to sweet and back again. Dark cherries, almond paste, walnut loaf, Turkish coffee, dark 90% chocolate, dried apricots, plums and a malty sweetness. An amazing texture that is full and sweet whist being simultaneously dry and almost astringent. There are some cunning tannic elements at work that are magical in their effect. Finish: Medium. The sweet character turns dry temporarily, but relaxes to leave a sweet dark fruity aftertaste. A dry, earthy and complex whisky. It's quite remarkable, but of the three Arran cask-finishes I've just tasted (sauternes, port and amarone) this is the most difficult to engage, and was the one that I thought really improved with a little water. Dilution instantly relaxes this whisky, balances the astringent tannic notes that appear right through the profile, and a sweet grape note appears on the palate. While a purist might argue that this is actually not a positive thing, I felt that the whisky blossomed and came into its own, as if it was almost relieved to be under less stress. It's probably the least approachable of the three cask finishes, but all deserve a solid 4 stars (however the sauternes cask finish is my favourite). (tasted from a 30ml sample). "Very Good" : 86/100 (4 stars)