Arran – 14 Year Old 2009 Re-fill Sherry Hogshead Foundations (70cl, 56.5%)

This is a 14 year old Arran single malt from 2009, matured in a re-fill sherry hogshead and bottled at 56.5% in a 70cl bottle. It is part of the Foundations series and is unpeated. The sherry maturation gives it an old-school character. The nose shows baked apple, dry walnut and mirabelle plum, with a slight camphor note, before pineapple and salted butter caramel appear. On the palate, mustard seed comes with lemon and cream, then liquorice and a medicinal balm note. The finish is long and downy, with curry and cardamom tea, and a sweetness like botrytised sémillon grapes.