Arran – 25 Year Old (70cl, 45%)

This is a 25 year old single malt from the Arran Distillery, on the island of the same name. It was launched in 2020, the 25th year of production at the distillery, and is bottled at 45% ABV in a 70cl bottle. The whisky was aged in a mix of 35% ex-sherry and 65% ex-bourbon casks. All of it then spent a further 12 months in first-fill and refill sherry hogsheads before bottling. The nose brings rich oak, nutmeg, baked figs, sultanas and black cherries. On the palate come fruit cake, toasted almonds, cinnamon, orange and mandarin, manuka honey and a touch of white pepper. The finish is creamy and spicy, with dark chocolate, walnuts and dark fruit compote.