Jose-Massu-Espinel
Arran The Bothy Quarter Cask Batch 1
Single Malt — Islands, Scotland
Reviewed
July 2, 2020 (edited April 26, 2022)
It has won prizes. And it is fair for it to have won them. A truly amazing, refreshing, tropical cask strength whisky from one of my favorite distilleries, here is my review on Arran The Bothy Batch No. 1:
This bottle tries to commemorate the times when whisky was matured in smaller casks, back in the 18th and 19th centuries, for logistical reasons, whilst delivering gorgeous vanilla and spice flavours.
Bottled at 55.7%abv, amber color.
On the nose, welcome to Dominican Republic. It is as tropical as you can get. Tangerine, oranges, green apple, a dominant pineapple aroma, fruit salad, grapes, champagne cola, malt, bananas, white wine. After the second sip, chocolate bathed bananas and red fruits appear. Lovely.
On the palate, a lot of personality, following the same path as the nose: pears, Bananas, oranges, more bananas, the heart of the pineapple and... bananas.
Second sip revealed a fancy vanilla, honey and marshmallows.
Aftertaste is very nice, not as tropical though. Minerals, Cinnamon, red fruits, cherries and ginger.
Overall this one feels like one amazing fruit punch, a very fun one. Incredibly balanced, not a hint of alcohol even for a 55.7%abv. Great dram, 96 over 100. Sláinte!
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@cascode i dont usually use water on my whiskies unless they are not giving me anything to work with (and therefore they already have a bad score for it). but i will surely give it a try with a couple lf drops after your recommendation. cheers
@cascode i believe there where only 12k bottles of this batch No. 1. i really bought it on Whiskybase so i went directly to a secondary market who had it.
BTW - I don't know whether you like to water your whisky or not, but even if no try adding a teaspoon to a dram of this. It blooms ebven more and you will be astonished at the dehree to which it louches. The filtering on this must be absolutely minimal.
Good review - you nailed it. A great dram. Buy up every bottle of this old label style you can find because the one in the new livery (although good) is not of this level.