Arran – Machrie Moor 10 Year Old (46%)

This is a 10 year old single malt from the Isle of Arran, off the west coast of Scotland, bottled at 46% and made with peat at 20 ppm. It is named after Machrie Moor, a windswept stretch of moorland on the island's west side, where legend says King Fingal tied his favourite hound, Bran, to one of the standing stones. The peat smoke is unusual for Arran, which makes this a distinctive bottle from the island. On the nose it is intense, with sweet spices and vanilla and a background of peat smoke. The palate is full-bodied, with exotic spices, citrus and malt, gradually taken over by smoky peat. The finish is long and warming, with citrus fruit and a clear note of smoke.