Arran – Machrie Moor 5th Release (46%)

Machrie Moor is the peated single malt from the Arran distillery, here in its fifth release at 46% ABV. Each year a small amount of malt is distilled from barley peated to between 14 and 20 ppm, a medium level of smoke. The name comes from a peat moor on the west coast of Arran, where Bronze Age standing stones include one with a hole cut through it. Legend says the warrior Fingal tied his hound Bran to it. This release shows the influence of an ex-bourbon cask. The nose is fresh, with pineapple, peach and coconut and peat smoke in the background. Citrus and spice lead the palate, with honey, vanilla and peat smoke, and the finish is dry and clean, with lingering smoke and sweet vanilla.