Arran – 15 Years Rare Batch French Oak Bordeaux Cask Strength (70cl, 52.8%)

This is a 15-year-old Arran single malt from the Isle of Arran, bottled at a cask strength of 52.8% in a 70cl bottle. It is non-chill-filtered and of natural colour. The whole maturation took place in French oak casks that previously held red wine from a Médoc winemaker, north of Bordeaux. The nose brings ripe dark berries and freshly rolled cigars, with soft tobacco and the sweetness of winey sultanas and cassis. On the palate there are chocolate and raspberry truffles, candied ginger, scones with clotted cream and orange marmalade, and almond and cinnamon croissants, with silky, rich tannins. The finish starts sweet, then dries, with plum jam and gentle spices.