Arran 18-year-old

Name: Arran 18-year-old
Brand: Arran
SKU: 143180
Rating: 87.55 (226 reviews)

Overall rating: 87.55/100
votes: 226

Category: Single Malt
Distillery: Arran
Bottler: Distillery Bottling
Bottled: 2019
Stated Age: 18 years old
Casktype: Sherry Casks
Strength: 46.0 % Vol.
Size: 700 ml 700 ml
Barcode: 5060044483073
Added on: 23 Nov 2019 1:16 pm by Whiskylifestyle

Average value

€ 84.22

Found 12 online shops. Lowest price:

€ 67.50

	DrankDozijn.nl	€ 69.95

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There are 2 other releases…

Whisky Reviews for Arran 18-year-old

27 users have left a review for this whisky and scored it an average of 87.55 points

Stef89 scored this whisky 87 points
18 Dec 2019 6:18 pm
I am relatively enthusiastic about this bottling. This is a completely different malt than the old one. The focus is clearly on the ripening of sherry and it hits it quite well.
An independent "winey" profile with highs and little depths.
With he likes.

Nose

88 88

A very slight alcohol bite is the first thing on the nose, but really minimal and with a little time it flies completely. Otherwise, the first thing to hold back is the nose. Extremely dense and rich but reserved. It sounds like a contradiction at first, I know, but that's the way it is.
Next comes a slightly sour / winey fruitiness that is not out of place at all.
Very interesting and far from being fully explored.
For all of you who have read so far: now it's getting classic:
Very nice sherry ripening with everything that goes with it. Old leather, tobacco, raisins, plums, a nice pinch of spice and the oak hilt gently follows and pushes in beautifully.
Over time, the alcohol comes back. That is the only point of criticism.

Taste

86 86

The start is very gentle but not lax. He sweetly dresses the mouth area before the malt becomes more spicy with every second. Sweetness, fruit and spice hold the balance. Very pleasant
Everything is backed by a very pleasant carpet of wood and the tannins from it.
Again I have the sticking point from my nose: the alcohol is coming again.
While we're whining: it's a little one-dimensional, but by no means boring.

Finish

86 86

The finish is not too long and very harmonious. Here suddenly cherries come and it is fresh again.
Coffee plays a role again, but more milk coffee.
Moses scored this whisky 88 points
10 May 2020 5:23 pm
Noticeably different from the old one and also completely different on the nose. They are not comparable, because the old one is a bourbon / sherry whisky at its best and the new one is "supposedly" made with two different sherry barrels and is very demanding. It has certainly already leased its place with sherry lovers. On the palate and in the finish it is special and much spicier! You have to like that. The old one is not better, but only more independent ... Conclusion: ... Both are very good.

Nose

Wow, fresh and fruity straight away. Very attractive. Will be the best part. This nose is markedly good. All nouns of fruitiness and wonderfully dominant but not too heavy, rather on the light, sour fruit side. Orange peel and berries pickled in alcohol. Splendid. Respect to Arran. This nose can be sold. Top!

Taste

Sweet, creamy, inviting and not too full and heavy in texture. Rather loosely and lightly, it combines peppery tannin spices with fine to artificial citrus fruitiness and the inconspicuous chocolate bananas with raisins. Made class without being intrusive. Is inconspicuous, or shall we say “very soft” and a cautious finish. But what shouldn't be a criticism. Ingeniously balanced culinary delight without rough edges. Many will say something boring.
I like that very much. Happy 88!

Finish

Medium to long he walks with his head held high, without pursuing and simulating any show-offs. Solid and well coordinated, it slowly lets go of what it delivered from the nose to the palate. Finish at the best level and felt 2 to 3 years older! Claim: There will not be a day in the year that this malt does not work.
He deserves an award, no ifs or buts. Congratulations to Arran!
happyNess scored this whisky 88 points
02 Feb 2020 12:52 pm
Nose

88 88

Needs some time in the glass, sweet at first and a little reserved. After a few minutes full and delicate.
Milk chocolate, trail mix, cinnamon and oak. Very balanced.

Taste

89 89

Round and flattering, very gentle. Chocolate, raisins, dates, some cinnamon. Then the drier tastes, spices and gentle oak.
The alcohol is practically not noticeable (as on the nose).

Finish

88 88

Medium length, gently spicy and fresh.
LeChiffre scored this whisky 88 points
29 Jan 2020 6:16 pm
Very nice balance of sour, fruity notes and spiciness. Plus the ginger spiciness - I like it a lot. Overall balanced and not very complex, but still not boring. For me a wonderful standard for the home bar.
(Rating: +)

Nose

88 88

Sweet; sour and fruity; colorful fruit basket; Oranges; Raisins; Vanilla sauce; Spices; delicate beautifully integrated oak wort

Taste

88 88

gentle fruity sweet and sour taste; which is quickly complemented by a fine spiciness as a counterpoint; Oranges; Grapefruit; fine tingling ginger spiciness lies on the tongue; Chocolate notes
Great balance of fruity sweetness and spiciness. Everything is very harmonious

Finish

87 87

medium length; spicy; sour and fruity; Grapefruit; dark chocolate; some milk coffee; delicately tart oak flavor; Ginger spiciness
maltaholic scored this whisky 88 points
24 Feb 2020 9:54 am

Wow!
What a nice aroma.
It smells like it looks!

Warm and sweet, almost classy.
Intense sherry, fine wood.

The taste is then stronger, full-bodied, tart, with slightly bitter barrel notes. Not quite as fruity anymore. But quite complex and expressive.

Very good!
gallfux did not rate this whisky
07 Feb 2020 9:20 pm

Short comparison with the "old" 18er (WID: 79561)

In terms of color, they differ significantly. The new one is a lot darker. There was probably more sherry involved.
In the nose, the fruits are rather yellow in the old 18s and in the new they go in the direction of slightly sour berries. In addition to the new darker oak notes, as well as tobacco and leather. The old wood notes are rather fresh and juicy.
In the mouth, the new one is now less voluminous than I expected. Almost mild. Somehow I find the old 18er mouth-filling. With the new berries again. Here they are somewhat sweeter at first and gradually become more acidic. Now a pleasant tingle, which I often have with Arrans. That is also there with the old one. The old taste is sweeter and less dark. In the finish of the new one a little cocoa, oak notes and some sour berries. Here, too, the old one is brighter overall.

So the new 18er is definitely not a bad whisky. I personally like the old one better. Somehow the style suits Arran better for me.
ms_th scored this whisky 88 points
10 Jan 2021 6:18 pm
Nose

89 89

Taste

87 87

Finish

87 87
Chris Ha scored this whisky 97 points
07 Jan 2021 11:46 am

Absolutely the best 18 year old I've ever had in my glass. Fantastic strong start, long-lasting sweetness and spectacular finish. absolutely fantastic at a great price.
Igor_Gudimov scored this whisky 87 points
05 Dec 2020 1:23 am
Very powerful sherry and oak dram

Nose

Deep dark sherry raisins, pretty tannic

Taste

First - explotion of raisins and fig, second - a lot of oak tannins coating the mouth

Finish

Medium, red fruits combined with strong oak bitterness
Lorion scored this whisky 89 points
21 Nov 2020 12:43 am
What a great whisky! A prime example of a whisky from the sherry barrel. Sherry and oak in wonderful harmony. 89 points.

Nose

Hmmmm ... The nose suddenly knows how to please. Wonderful sherry flavors. Dark fruits, plums and rotten grapes. A rich and spicy oak can also be felt right away. Dark dark chocolate. Rather dry. A hint of nutmeg. With a little time, the nose becomes even drier, almost dusty.

Taste

The whisky flows warm and spicy into the mouth. The oak tingles pleasantly. Fermented grapes. Black chocolate. With the swallow comes a torrent of tobacco. Dry and very fruity in the aftertaste.

Finish

Long, but only moderately warming.

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