Review by: Raygun

Ah, the old Cadenhead’s small batch/single cask square bottles. Used to be some of the best values in Scotch. Sadly, there are few values left in Scotch, and these are gone except for some old stock, replaced by the Original Collection at 46%. Which all seem pretty young, too, at least what I’ve seen. So I was pretty pleased when I asked the bartender if he had any Arran in sherry, and he brought this out.

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Distillery: Arran

Bottler: Cadenhead’s

Region/style: Islands single malt Scotch

ABV: 53.3%. Cask strength

Age: 20 years. Distilled in 1996. Bottled in 2017

Cask type: Says butt, and I’ve never heard of a butt that wasn’t sherry. Based on the taste, has to be refill.

Price: About $14 for the pour.

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Nose: Clean and somewhat nutty. Probably a refill butt, I’m guessing. Frangiapane. Figs, cookies, and some kind of citrus.

Palate: Yum. Key lime pie, caramel, prunes, and a little bit of cola. Some nuttiness from the nose, but not as much. A different kind of Arran. I’m very much digging it.

Finish: Graham crackers, lime curd, brown sugar. A bit of apricot. More caramel comes out.

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Conclusion: Arran is a favorite of mine, and bottles like this are why. It’s just delicious. Not a bomb of any sort; just interesting flavors well balanced. Got some dark fruit, some pastry, some citrus, some caramel…quite a bit going on and combines very well. Pure pleasure to drink.

Buy a bottle? Wouldn’t hesitate. If only Cadenhead’s was still putting out stuff like this.

Final Score: 88

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky. (Convalmore 36)
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category. (Bruichladdich Black Art 4.1)
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram. (Ledaig 13 Amontillado)
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff. (Tomatin 18)
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting. (Glen Scotia 15)
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better. (Aultmore 12)
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink. (Glenmorangie 10)
• 50-59: Save it for mixing. (Old Pulteney 12)
• 0-49: Blech. (Muirhead’s Silver Seal 16)