Arran 18-year-old

Overall rating
85.92/100
votes
631
Whiskybase ID
WB79561
Category
Single Malt
Distillery
Bottler
Distillery Bottling
Bottled
16.02.2016
Stated Age
18 years old
Casktype
Ex-Sherry & Ex-Bourbon Casks
Strength
46.0 % Vol.
Size
700 ml 700 ml 750 ml
Bottle code
L16 02 16
Barcode
5060044483073
Added on
08 mar 2016 10:10 am by mcfloster
UncoloredNon-chillfiltered
Arran 18-year-old
Photo by JSW
Arran 18-year-old
Photo by Moses
Arran 18-year-old
Photo by alex..w..fan

Average value

€ 192.33

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Whisky reviews for Arran 18-year-old

76 users have left 80 reviews for this whisky. Average rating is 85.92 points.

  1. HammerHead scored this whisky 87 points Connoisseur

    Great whisky, well presented and at a fair price level. Thumbs up for Arran, no flaws except maybe a little bit too much wood in the finish.
    • Nose
      89 89
      Fruity with both the bourbon and sherry casks shining through. Honey, maple syrup, vanilla, fresh fruits, apples, peach and apricots, also some oranges and pineapple, a cookie note, almonds.
    • Taste
      87 87
      Dried fruit, honey, raisins, fruitcake, apricots, oranges, grapefruit, a bit oily and clear wood bitters, quite spicy (clove).
    • Finish
      86 86
      Medium length: honey and vanilla with a nice wood note, some citrus, nutmeg and quite some heavy oakwood which fades away into a subtle mustiness.

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  3. zzqfyl scored this whisky 87 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      88 88
    • Taste
      87 87
    • Finish
      87 87

  4. dapoinbua scored this whisky 89 points Expert Senior

  5. kikist scored this whisky 84 points Expert Senior

    Really nice dram, no complains about this one.
    I would like little bit punchier nose
    • Nose
      81 81
      Peach, grape, red wine, vinegar, cinnamon, vanilla, orange
    • Taste
      83 83
      mellow, no alcohol burn at all, orange juice, dry, expresso coffee, walnuts
    • Finish
      87 87
      light, coconut, vanilla, dry, nutmegs, dark chocolate, peach ice tea

  6. BaggyGreen scored this whisky 89 points Expert Junior

    I prefer subtle sherry influences rather than over-the-top sherry-in-your-face style drams, so I'm taken with the quiet and modest approach taken here by James MacTaggart with this wonderful 18-year-old Arran. This, to me, is what balance is all about!
    • Nose
      90 90
      Right from the outset there is fresh white American oak (the ex-Sherry hoggies) which displays well-integrated and gentle tannins. Notes of a rich honeyed sweetness seem to go hand-in-hand with a hint of furniture polish. Then I smell the luscious butterscotch lollies and a bold note of malted barley. Given time, the fruits begin to show through on the nose: pineapple, cantaloupe and mango are dancing a trio here, while a distant well-ripened banana waits on the fringe. Still more to come: now there are dried fruits such as dried apricots and orange zest. To balance things out I get some gentle and unobtrusive spice, and a quiet suggestion of almonds. This nose is both complex and beautiful!
    • Taste
      88 88
      The dram immediately coats the mouth from all sides, but not in a dramtic or "loud" way. This malt is still more of a whisperer. Thank goodness the ex-sherry casks are kept well under control; they're offering up a mild sweetness along with some gentle spice. The longer the dram stays in my mouth, it becomes juicier and quite mouth-watering. Due to those subtle tannins this dram can boast a silky texture which makes me want to hold it even longer in the mouth.
    • Finish
      89 89
      There's not a drying of the mouth on the aftertaste because, again, the handling of those oak tannins is so canny. They provide the dram with suppleness and firm structure at the same time. The entire experience with this bottling suggests a very well-balanced job by the canny folk down on Arran. Well done!

  7. Koning scored this whisky 85 points Expert Senior

    Tasted this old version of the 18 years old alongside with the new version (wb id 143180). This one is lighter in colour and definitely less sherried. Not a bad thing, since it allows the bright Arran citrus fruits to shine. It's a fine dram, but its dry and tart spicy side is not entirely to my liking.
    • Nose
      87 87
      A warm spicy glow (cinnamon, ginger), followed by baked apples, oranges, vanilla, butter, hazelnut and green tea.
    • Taste
      85 85
      Starts on citrus fruits and white grapes, vanilla yogurt and a mineral/briny note. Oak spices develop and it unfortunately turns a bit tart.
    • Finish
      84 84
      The dry spices (dried oregano?) continue on the finish but are somewhat neutralised by juicy citrus fruits and lemon curd. It's a biy mineral and briny again, and at times it's a bit soapy (coriander) with a hint of smoke and sulfer.

  8. glen efze scored this whisky 86 points Expert Senior

    The aroma of the whisky is very fruity, the age is discreetly in the background and the oak is also not present. There is an earthy note, a little sea beach, but the fruitiness dominates, British wine gums, few herbs and spices. There is no alcohol in the nose.
    There are also strong fruit gum notes in the taste, the sweetness is pleasantly restrained and the oak is not dominant. Sherry is restrained, no superimposed or deep sherry notes. Definitely refill - even several times. Still a ripe and tasty whisky, the oak is present in the aftertaste, round and balanced, in no way bitter and sucked out. The aftertaste is medium long
    A delicious and ripe whisky, set - but not yet deep and profound.

  9. mchlglk scored this whisky 90 points Newbie

  10. Igitor scored this whisky 88 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      88 88
    • Taste
      87 87
    • Finish
      88 88

  11. LinXcze scored this whisky 85 points Member Junior

    5 cl sample tasting, letting it rest for 10 minutes first.
    • Nose
      Smoke (How??), cooked red fruits, sultanas, leather, freshly cut timber, brown sugar.
    • Taste
      Vanilla sweet, Chocolate, Grapefruit, Grapes, Pineapple
    • Finish
      Fairly long, but does not overstay it's welcome, smooth as butter, oily, dark chocolate, bit of peppery bite at the tail end.

  12. MLE scored this whisky 84 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      85 85
    • Taste
      84 84
    • Finish
      84 84

  13. Whisky Hamster scored this whisky 87 points Expert Senior

    An understatement malt that needs time and attention to show its full potential. Older Arran style in comparison to the then 10 yo which had more orange-y citruss-y notes. This one has blueberry and shows its complexity when you spend time with it, go back to younger Arrans at same abv strength and return. Great stuff. Not spectacular, but very competently put together.

  14. Foudos scored this whisky 86 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      87 87
    • Taste
      86 86
    • Finish
      85 85

  15. Thoma scored this whisky 84 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      84 84
    • Taste
      85 85
    • Finish
      84 84

  16. El Bastardo did not rate this whisky Member Senior

    Solid and very drinkable. Almost too good. An 18 should be and remain a pure pleasure drop. You shouldn't even think that you could really lose a lot of it. Somehow it is already too drinkable and socially acceptable, almost "mainstream".
    That doesn't make him bad now, on the contrary, but also not really with much profound personality.
    • Nose
      60 60
      Dominantly sweet. Primarily sugar-sweet, only then in the later course it also becomes a little fruity-sweet. If you have survived the dominant sugar wall and your nose has gotten used to the smell, the first oak bitter notes come towards you. Aromatic mild and not spicy and unpleasant. In addition, subtle vanilla tones.
    • Taste
      60 60
      Bitter at first. Such a mixture of oak and cocoa (chocolate). Then the sweet notes kicked in. From then on there is an interplay between bitter and sweet. With the second sip it also gets a bit sour.
    • Finish
      60 60
      Slightly bitter, slightly sour.

  17. topos did not rate this whisky Expert Senior

    a very good arran, less fruity than the 14, subtle but well put together and excellent maturation. would buy a dusty if I come across it. easy sipper, subtle complexity. 7-8/10
    • Nose
      satsuma segments, old blend fustiness, fruit and nut chocolate bar, slight waxy honeycomb. not jumping out.
    • Taste
      lively. great mixture of creaminess and mild fruits. beeswax, dunnage warehouses for sure. reminds me a bit of old blends. fuzzy peach, melted milk chocolate. oily and creamy finish with a light perfumed spice, cardamom, lots of jasmine tea, some prunes, and a touch of oak. benefits from half teaspoon water. excellent balance of spirit and cask influence.

  18. lustaufwhisky scored this whisky 86 points Expert Junior

    Nose:
    Sweet and soft, plum, honey, raisins, orange, some oak, shortbread biscuit, chocolate
    •
    Taste:
    Citrus notes, on the palate you can feel a slight sharpness of ginger, vanilla, caramel, peach, cherry, raisins, cereals, oak, nice and spicy, dark chocolate
    •
    Outlet:
    medium length, sweet and at the same time quite dry and spicy
    • Nose
      86 86
    • Taste
      87 87
    • Finish
      86 86

  19. Dre73 scored this whisky 86 points Connoisseur

    Nice and strong whisky, fruity and sweet, nice full taste, with even a little more varied nose. But very pleasant for sure.
    • Nose
      87 87
      Spicy nose, pepper. Fruity as well, orange, peach. Pretty some alcohol punch in the nose. Honey and vanilla now, sweet. And some apples and melons.
    • Taste
      86 86
      Pretty much pepper, strong, fruity, peach, orange. And sweetness again, honey and vanilla, even some hints of raspberry
    • Finish
      86 86
      Still pretty strong, pepper, more sweetness now, honey and vanilla, with some raspberry at the side.

  20. StephanB scored this whisky 90 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      91 91
    • Taste
      89 89
    • Finish
      90 90

  21. matfrl scored this whisky 84 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      82 82
    • Taste
      85 85
    • Finish
      84 84

  22. Tangtang_WhiskyYoda scored this whisky 89 points Connoisseur

    very complex, especially if you give it some time and add a few drops of water. Then the flavors develop better than undiluted.
    • Nose
      87 87
      fruity sweet with vanilla, sherry and spices
    • Taste
      91 91
      fruity sues, chocolate, caramel, citrus with ginger and spices
    • Finish
      89 89
      sues with chocolate, malty, spicy, hint of citrus fruits.

  23. P.K.S scored this whisky 86 points Expert Senior

    Amazing balanced arran with sweet and sour. Wonderfull exsperiense of taste and long lasting finnish. One of the better 18yr in my apinnion.
    • Nose
      86 86
      Sweet,pinapple,apricot,pinapple,Apple,oak spises, bannana
    • Taste
      86 86
      Mouth watery,fruit basked, drapes,oakapisess,chilli,apricot, sweet pear
    • Finish
      87 87
      Fruty, oily, oak spises,chilli,dark drapes long spisy finnish lovely stuff and long finnish

  24. Mortar1703 scored this whisky 87 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      88 88
    • Taste
      88 88
    • Finish
      86 86

  25. IIIZIII scored this whisky 86 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      Fresh fruit, light, restrained, toffeed fruits, apple, pear. Sanitized fruitiness without any bold notes. Pineapple, just a hint of actual sherry. Fresh honeyed and vanilla bourbuny influence dominates. WIth water, more citrus, and custard.
    • Taste
      Slightly sharp arrival, restrained fruity development, and a very sweet and fruity finish. Fresh fruit basket. Custardy and vanilla finish. Relatively long with very light oak.

  26. rpvdwel scored this whisky 85 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      85 85
    • Taste
      85 85
    • Finish
      84 84

  27. LeChiffre scored this whisky 87 points Connoisseur

    Nice balance of sweet and sour fruitiness and tingling spiciness. With the key data (no cold filtration, no dye, good alcohol strength) and the price a great standard. Only the marginal (but still pleasant) bitterness in the finish prevents even higher rating.
    • Nose
      88 88
      fresh and fruity; Fruit basket; Citrus fruits; oranges; apples; Vanilla; delicate herbal notes; subtle Sherryote; light oak spice in the background
    • Taste
      87 87
      sweet and spicy; Fruit tends towards sweet and sour (citrus, blood orange, grapefruit); tingling spice (pepper, ginger); chocolate notes; behind a pleasant tart oak
    • Finish
      86 86
      sweet and sour spicy; citrus; Grapefruit; keeps pleasantly tingling-hot on the palate (pepper, ginger); bitter-bitter oak

  28. malthead-sven scored this whisky 84 points Expert Senior

    The impressions of my first dram are confirmed: A spicy, angular malt to a good PLV (~ 60 EUR). Ezig the complexity is missing something.
    • Nose
      at first ordinary notes of fresh apples and malt, oatmeal cookies, with a little water honey, more spicy and almost maritime than sweet
    • Taste
      very spicy on the tongue, nutmeg, chestnuts, mint pastilles
    • Finish
      quite long and strong, the influence of the sherry casks is expressed here by the spice most clearly, a hint of licorice is also indicated

  29. JacobaEd scored this whisky 84 points Connoisseur

  30. Wiz scored this whisky 88 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      Ripe apples and pears, honey and then a juicy peach. Creamy, buttery, cereals. The oak I have only after a certain time in the glass.
    • Taste
      First a light sherry note. Then the fruits that I already had in my nose. After a while, light coffee notes are added.
    • Finish
      Long. Slight bitterness comes up. Ginger, grapefruit

  31. Willum scored this whisky 86 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      86 86
    • Taste
      87 87
    • Finish
      86 86

  32. Hvdree scored this whisky 85 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      84 84
    • Taste
      85 85
    • Finish
      85 85

  33. BeatF scored this whisky 87 points Photo Moderator

    Whisky in the classic style without any flaws, equipped with enough complexity
    • Nose
      Apple flavors, then fine bitterness of almonds, a certain darkness makes the whole thing really interesting, buffalo vanilla pudding, light toast flavor
    • Taste
      Sultanas enrich the mixture, very spicy (cloves? Cinnamon? Pepper?) And then especially Crema Catalana! The 46% get the drop well.
    • Finish
      The percent make pleasant warming noticeable. Everything is very balanced, added citrus note. And in the persistent background honey.
      My bottle shows no bottle code even when searching intensively.

  34. MickMatrix scored this whisky 85 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      86 86
    • Taste
      87 87
    • Finish
      82 82

  35. robbiemast scored this whisky 87 points Member Senior

    • Nose
      87 87
    • Taste
      88 88
    • Finish
      86 86

  36. schengel10 scored this whisky 88 points Connoisseur

    Great, intense, very good Arran!
    [Color] honey;
    • Nose
      Bourbon flavors (vanilla, caramel), spices, ripe apples, oak;
    • Taste
      aromatic powerful onset, oily, fruity, peach, orange, cinnamon, spices, pepper, oak, caramel, honey, vanilla, complex;
    • Finish
      medium length, fruity, slightly spicy; in the end orange and (bitter) oak;

  37. Andytka3 scored this whisky 83 points Connoisseur

    N- Personally, quite fond with the "Pure By Nature" limited edition of the 18YO years ago which was an 100% ex sherry hogshead. Now this has become part of the core range with different vat. Brightness of the bourbon cask are obvious with lemon meringue, polish and cheesy, oozes of butterscotch, vanilla and delicious honey nectar. Lifted nutty aroma and strength that deliver the toasted leaf, fresh nuts and sweet tea notes. Buttery throughout. (88/22)

    P- Creaminess take center-stage rounded with chewy wood, hazelnuts, sweet liquorice and orange peel. Still the buttery nuance that get a wee boring after awhile. (86/20)

    F- Medium, semi dry oak aged chardonnay, hint of liquorice and white fruits. Modern. (86/20)

    B/B- 87/21 Core range now, staying safe.

    Cereal- 2, Fruity- 2, Floral- 1, Peaty- 0, Feinty- 0, Sulphur- 0, Woody- 3, Winery- 3

    Weighted Rate- 83pt
    — at The Whisky Bar, Kuala Lumpur.
    • Nose
      N- Personally, quite fond with the "Pure By Nature" limited edition of the 18YO years ago which was an 100% ex sherry hogshead. Now this has become part of the core range with different vat. Brightness of the bourbon cask are obvious with lemon meringue, polish and cheesy, oozes of butterscotch, vanilla and delicious honey nectar. Lifted nutty aroma and strength that deliver the toasted leaf, fresh nuts and sweet tea notes. Buttery throughout. (88/22)
    • Taste
      P- Creaminess take center-stage rounded with chewy wood, hazelnuts, sweet liquorice and orange peel. Still the buttery nuance that get a wee boring after awhile. (86/20)
    • Finish
      F- Medium, semi dry oak aged chardonnay, hint of liquorice and white fruits. Modern. (86/20)

      B/B- 87/21 Core range now, staying safe.

      Cereal- 2, Fruity- 2, Floral- 1, Peaty- 0, Feinty- 0, Sulphur- 0, Woody- 3, Winery- 3

      Weighted Rate- 83pt
      — at The Whisky Bar, Kuala Lumpur.

  38. hs305 scored this whisky 86 points Connoisseur

    [February, 2019] A quick review of a sample...

    ...of a Traditional Scotch style dram with a fine nose, an average taste but a rather bitter ending. Nevertheless, it is easy drinkable.
    • Nose
      88 88
      The colour is yellow gold and the nose offers a fine old stylish Traditional Scotch profile with a balanced mix of distillate- and wood-driven aromas. There are fruity, bready (sourdough), spicy, toffee and chalky-mineral aromas without any off-note. Really nice to sniff for a standard range 18-years old...
    • Taste
      87 87
      The taste is spicy-sweet with lots of peppers, chili, vanilla and toffee-marzipan flavours. The fruits and barley sugars are more shy here but they grow stronger upon chewing - as does the sourdough flavour. Water releases more grassy-floral notes both in the nose and taste but I like the neat dram better, to be honest.
    • Finish
      84 84
      The dram arrives warming and a little coating on the palate with a minor bitter-drying feeling (cold metals). The finish is long and adds more bitter herbal-grassy flavours that provide a rather drying-astringent ending. Actually, this is not balanced anymore and you really have to like such bitter notes to enjoy the finish.

  39. Jackson05 scored this whisky 87 points Connoisseur

    Arran 18

    Actually I quite like it. Nicely fruity and floral, with notes of buttercream and wax. Very drinkable. Easily recommended if you’re not big on peat or big sherry notes. Still prefer clynelish 14 to this however.

  41. Totoro scored this whisky 85 points Connoisseur

    Really good eighteen-year-old and a nice culmination point (at least until recently, when the new 21 was introduced) for the Arran core range. Fresh and mature at the same time, with just the right amount of oak at the death. The only thing that keeps me from scoring it higher is the unsubtle, rubbery taste of the "modern" and less-than-glorious sherry casks that have been involved here.

  42. MrYens scored this whisky 85 points Expert Senior

  43. malthead-1984 scored this whisky 84 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      Quite typical Arran nose, very fruity fresh, light alc. Rather citrus fruit,
    • Taste
      Here you notice the age, clear wood notes that also bring some tannins to light chili-catch, otherwise rather simple
    • Finish
      very oaky and bitter, warming and quite long

  44. LiquidThoughts scored this whisky 87 points Connoisseur

    Honey red apple lemon mandarinr toffee
    Grapefruit green apple puff salt sweet malt

  45. Moses scored this whisky 86 points Connoisseur

    I would say: An 18 year old whisky with these key data for a price of 65 € is always worth a try. Today I know: Fortunately I bought a bottle of it, because today it is a house whisky. PLV is perfect.
    • Nose
      That's how a nose has to be. Full program from Helene apples to herbal honey, everything included. A buttery vanilla mixed with marzipan. Jam with fruit schnapps tipped into the beer. Class !
    • Taste
      A vanilla feast with lots of fruit and earthy salty mineral notes. It's fun on the palate. There is joy. Far away from the nose, there are now somewhat bitter notes that are very pleasantly embedded. Small body, great taste.
    • Finish
      Medium to long he goes there with the ever-bitter oak. But still has enough citrus fruits and apples in the basket in her luggage. Refilling is the order of the day.

  46. MadScientist scored this whisky 88 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      89 89
    • Taste
      86 86
    • Finish
      89 89

  47. WSP scored this whisky 89 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      89 89
    • Taste
      89 89
    • Finish
      88 88

  48. Opeth83 scored this whisky 87 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      88 88
    • Taste
      87 87
    • Finish
      86 86

  49. gallfux did not rate this whisky Expert Senior

    I think that's pretty good. Through this, for an OA, extroverted oak is also enough tension in this malt. Can you drink really well.
    • Nose
      Orange peel. Glazed apple in butter. Gooseberry. Sugar beets. Nice malty. In addition vanilla pod. Imagined marzipan. The oak also stands out well. However, not old and dark but rather fresh and juicy wood.
    • Taste
      First apricot and blossom honey. Then again the above fruits are less sweet. The oak is now more aggressive in the mouth and it tingles quite clearly. A bit spicy. Glazed ginger. But no real bitterness.
    • Finish
      The tingling gradually decreases. It gets drier and some bitterness comes too. Orange peel. Pear dish. Oak.

  50. FuturePerfect scored this whisky 88 points Expert Junior

    Like the 10-year-old Arran, an exemplary ex-bourbon whisky that offers a little more of everything. Nice thing!
    • Nose
      88 88
      Intense vanilla, sweet citrus, cinnamon sugar and very delicate oak. Essentially like the 10s, even stronger in its flavors.
    • Taste
      89 89
      Very pleasant oak barrel, dark and set sweetness.
    • Finish
      88 88
      Warming residual sweetness, relatively oily for 46%. A very harmonious ending.

  51. LDB scored this whisky 86 points Connoisseur

    For the age initially surprisingly impetuous, but especially in the finish to score.
    • Nose
      Spicy spicy, rather unripe pineapple, a bit of mango juice, delicious wild honey notes with fine coastal flavors
    • Taste
      Smoother than the nose suggests, fruit and honey flavors now dominate, though not sweet, but rather tart and tart.
    • Finish
      Fine tingling as after champagne remains in the palate, relatively dry-astringent, but in the end comes again pineapple with a little lemon and a touch of salt - that's delicious.

  52. Achany scored this whisky 87 points Connoisseur

    The aromas are quite nice. Fruity, some sherry influence, some dark berries, oaky and spicey as well. vanilla, honey, sweets, a real nice mixture. finish is long lasting, sweet and spicey as well. that is really a nice dram. Will try to retaste with more time and see how it works out.
    • Nose
      87 87
    • Taste
      87 87
    • Finish
      88 88

  53. lachaineduwhisky did not rate this whisky Expert Senior

    Pretty forgettable. Enthusiasm Nose: 2/5 Palate: 3/5 Final: 3/5 Whisky n ° 1756
    • Nose
      Light fruity, sherry. Some woody notes. Not very opulent, very ordinary.
    • Taste
      Honest on the corpulence in the mouth. Spices slightly bitter, not very fruity.
    • Finish
      As late as late fruit to accompany the spices in the final.

  54. Magnus Hillman scored this whisky 86 points Expert Senior

    Nose: Clean and fresh with rhubarb, pear, white pepper and wild strawberries. But also yellow wine gums and some cotton candy.

    Taste: sweet arrival , vanilla sugar, caramel and spices. 

    Finish, long and candy sweet with icing sugar, green apples

    Rating interval 85-88

  55. Moses scored this whisky 86 points Connoisseur

    Highly recommended from Ralfy  ...  90 points https://youtu.be/ey3ppYqXDac—————————————————————

    Best of islands 2018

    http://www.worldwhiskiesawards.com/winner/whisky/2018/best-scotch-islands-non-islay-single-malt-world-whiskies-awards-2018

  56. Jean Ginster scored this whisky 89 points Expert Senior

    delicious, I'll buy again
    • Nose
      sweet, rather fruity, some roasted malt. Very round. The fruitiness goes towards apricot with orange peel and raspberries. Vanilla with honey, soft oak.
    • Taste
      Round, short break, then only strong start. Sweet-sour, then tingle on the tip of the tongue, a little salt, sour fruit notes mixed with round oak spice. Fat filling and a little buttery. Vanilla, milk chocolate, some hazelnut.
    • Finish
      Medium-long, mouth-filling oak spice with a fruity, sweet touch remains. Dry finish
      From the throat come subtle sweet oak notes.

  57. Luigisim scored this whisky 85 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      83 83
    • Taste
      87 87
    • Finish
      83 83

  58. ovanpuyvelde scored this whisky 85 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      85 85
    • Taste
      86 86
    • Finish
      84 84

  59. Pollenflug scored this whisky 87 points Expert Senior

    Conclusion and pictures on: https://tomtrinkt.de
    • Nose
      The Arran begins with a beautiful interplay of sweet fruits and roasted cereal notes. The alcohol (46%) is well integrated and hardly noticeable. Light and red fruits form the sweet foundation: apricots, juicy oranges, melons, red apples, raspberries and grapes are present. Floral notes, plenty of vanilla, honey and beautiful oak aromas give the nose a nice draft. The different aromas of bourbon and sherry barrels mix together to create a harmonious composition.
    • Taste
      Slightly oily and powerful, the adult Arran occurs: Sweet-sour fruit notes are provided with an additional Pfeffrigkeit on the tip of the tongue. The sherry notes I take in the taste a little more intense: blood oranges, peaches, cherries and raspberries mingle with light fruits, honey, roasted aromas, marzipan and strong caramel and milk chocolate notes. The oak notes are spicy in the end and already leave a delicate bitterness on the palate. A slight feeling of sharpness occurs, which bothers me a little. Maybe it's the infamous form of the day? Adding a few drops of water makes the malt more balanced and harmonious.
    • Finish
      Medium long, sweet-spicy and warm. With a delicate pinch of pepper on the sparkling tongue tip, the finish starts. The vanilla sweetness and bright fruits as well as sherry notes gradually fade. Cereals, honey, milk chocolate, roasted aromas and spicy notes of the oak finish the Arran. The palate now has a subtle bitterness and a gentle dryness.

  60. Moses scored this whisky 86 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      89 89
    • Taste
      87 87
    • Finish
      88 88

  61. mema82 scored this whisky 87 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      86 86
    • Taste
      86 86
    • Finish
      86 86

  62. malthead-sven scored this whisky 84 points Expert Senior

    rather on the spicy side at home, I remembered especially a liquorice note on the finish.

  63. Abadon05 scored this whisky 88 points Expert Senior

    Very complex and especially interesting because of the interplay in the nose. For me personally, he burns easily, so he also scores just past the 90 points. Especially since I'm not so on the mirabelle and cereal notes. Nevertheless, a great whisky, you should try.
    • Nose
      Roasted aromas and a lot of cereals (in my case, associations with muesli are spreading). Somehow, it also reminds one of Kinder Country. In addition, a little honey and honeydew melon and nuances of apricot / mirabelle. In addition, white grapes and vanilla, which is getting stronger with time. In general, it changes with time: not only the vanilla is increasing, but also the grain and the honey are sometimes times more and sometimes less.
    • Taste
      Dry and slightly sour. In addition a slight burning (whereby it can not lie with 46% actually at the Alkohlschärfe -> keyword Tagesform?). Again the cereal, as well as the melon and the mirabelle plums. But not nearly as appealing as the previous nose.
    • Finish
      Medium. Grain combined with honey sweetness and now the dryness is added. However, it looks sweeter on me than on the nose or in the aroma. The back is still a bit of spice and the mirabelles are a bit stronger. The dryness then overlays the sweetness.

  64. Goethe scored this whisky 87 points Connoisseur

    Quite enjoyable Arran 18y. Red and yellow fruits are dominant but working well together.Concerning price/performance ratio: 8/10
    • Nose
      Oranges, yellow and some red fruits, honey, vanilla, some ripe apples.
    • Taste
      Oranges, red fruits, honey, vanilla, chocolate, some ripe apples.
    • Finish
      Medium. Red fruits, ripe apples again with some spicy oakiness in the mix with oranges.

  65. WhiteEagle scored this whisky 90 points Expert Junior

    • Nose
      91 91
    • Taste
      89 89
    • Finish
      91 91

  66. Dottore scored this whisky 86 points Expert Senior

    A beautiful Arran to reasonable PLV. The 46% do it well, less would be bland. The nose is the highlight. 86 points
    • Nose
      The classic Arrannase that I like so much: sweet, by no means fermented sherry, juicy oranges, fruity beer, honey and butter. Blossoming alpine meadows in early summer.
    • Taste
      Sweet milk chocolate at the beginning, subtle fruit acidity. Peaches. Creamy mouthfeel. Vanilla. Slowly get bitter. Subtle wood spice
    • Finish
      Sweet, then slowly bitter. Overall, rather reserved, in the mouth it remains slightly dry with a little spicy-sour ginger.

  67. boy_genius_ck scored this whisky 84 points Connoisseur

    fruity sherry nose, spirit-y body, wonderful finish with a burst of fruits, cake and frosting

  68. Marko_I did not rate this whisky Connoisseur

    Delicious, tasty, liked to drink. For 90 ¬ I found it but totally overpriced, with meanwhile 70-75, he comes slowly in fair areas, but for ~ 50 ¬ I get similar attractive tasty-drinkable whisky whisky (also similar age), because I would not resort to this. And somehow I have the feeling that Arran is not necessarily made for aging, as it is more arbitrary, is absorbed in the mass of Speysider.
    • Nose
      Grainy-sweet, crumble cake, vanilla, a little sweet applesauce .... after a while a touch of wine gum and aromatic-dry cedar wood
    • Taste
      Chocolate, brown sugar (a bit burned on), a bit of heat ... and while chewing, I always have "bouts" of wine gum in between
    • Finish
      medium to long, gentle, warm spiciness, dark chocolate, coffee, a hint of wine gum

  69. Dhugal MacArdry scored this whisky 89 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      88 88
    • Taste
      90 90
    • Finish
      91 91

  70. helmutgw scored this whisky 82 points Expert Senior

    F: medium gold N: sweet, malty, cereals, subtle fruitiness G: Alcohol in the foreground and not exactly pleasant: it is stinging. Nothing new compared to the nose. Body: medium style and goodness, suitable for this dram. A: too spicy, alcohol unconnected. + H2O: is round, sweet and malty, but not very interesting.
    • Nose
      85 85
    • Taste
      82 82
    • Finish
      77 77

  71. markjedi1 scored this whisky 86 points Connoisseur

    Pebbles & Chalk

    In April 2015 I tried the first release of the Arran 18 Year Old. At that time, it was a limited release of 9.000 bottles (with a subtle gold/white label), but now it has been added to the core range. It is a marriage of both bourbon and sherry matured Arran, bottled at drinking strength. I remember that I felt the first release was good, but not great.

    Ah, lovely nose indeed! Fruit beer, lots of butter and freshly squeezed orange juice. Yellow apples, vanilla and Reine Claude plums. Gooseberries? Something milky as well.

    I would not have minded a more sturdy body, but the taste is right. Very mineral with pebbles and chalk. Again loads of vanilla, but also sultanas, pears, peach and lemon.. The difference with the nose is remarkable. The white flesh of the pink grapefruit. Mildly bitter with a surprising – albeit quite discrete – salty edge. This is Fanta Lemon on steroids. Nice!

    The finish is medium long on all kinds of citrus fruits and cider apples.

    Boy, this is good and so much better than last year’s special edition. Around 80 EUR.

  72. Glennie scored this whisky 85 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      86 86
    • Taste
      85 85
    • Finish
      84 84

  73. whiskybros scored this whisky 88 points Expert Junior

    You can find our review here http://www.whiskybros.com/#!Arran-18yo-Core-Range/c21kp/57bc3d480cf279ec4135914f
    • Nose
      88 88
    • Taste
      87 87
    • Finish
      88 88

  74. Chieftain scored this whisky 75 points Newbie

    Mildly dusty nose on first whiff, with a sweet scent following soon afterwards.

    Taste is quite mild, first taste on the tongue has a hint of caramel to it, followed by a more peaty mouth sensation and taste. 

    Leaves the mouth feeling slightly greasy for a short while after tasting, by lack of a better description. Not a bad sensation.

  75. JimmyLeg did not rate this whisky Member Senior

    Ralfy's review:

    http://whiskyreviews.blogspot.ca/2016/05/whisky-review-583-isle-of-arran-18yo.html

  76. ScottFrench scored this whisky 88 points Expert Senior

    Time is doing its job well on Arran. Between the release of the still and the bottling, it gave a wonderful complexity to the distillate. It's sweet and complex, intense and delicate. In short, an excellent whisky. It should be available for a hundred euros. If you are a fan of this profile, do not hesitate a second!
    • Nose
      very expressive on fairly acid notes of pineapple, lemon and ginger, which was already found on the limited version released last year. There is also some minerality that is quite rare in Arran, but gives it an interesting dimension. This minerality rubs in the most beautiful ways the fruity and sweet notes (vanilla, honey, applesauce, meringue), the notes of dried fruits (macadamia, almonds), and the spices (cinnamon, pepper). Complex and interesting.
    • Taste
      a very pleasant texture with a beautiful aromatic power, without it burning the throat. The whole is dense and round and develops notes of vanilla cream, cinnamon, mint, white grapes, ripe peach, apricot, dark chocolate, orange and lemon, ginger : In short, it's good! A slightly more austere pan, which draws on mineral notes, makes this mouth more complex. In the background, a little wood, but nothing really bad. We do not get bored with this Arran 18 years old!
    • Finish
      long with a beautiful intensity, all round, and especially very rich, with these acid notes of lemon, orange and ginger intertwined with the sweetness of vanilla, peach and then, always these mineral notes that gravitate. We keep in mouth a minty freshness of the most pleasant!

  77. Laga93 scored this whisky 86 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      86 86
    • Taste
      86 86
    • Finish
      85 85

  78. Patrick93 scored this whisky 88 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      88 88
    • Taste
      89 89
    • Finish
      87 87

  79. steinrich scored this whisky 89 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      90 90
    • Taste
      89 89
    • Finish
      88 88

  80. ScottFrench scored this whisky 88 points Expert Senior

    My tasting notes :
    http://www.monsieurdram.com/arran-18-ans-2016-46/

  81. Einfach_Supi scored this whisky 84 points Expert Senior

    Nose: baked apple, blood orange, honey, marzipan, salty herbs.

    Mouth: Sherry, honey, rum pot, cappuccino, salt caramel, the sharpness comes to an end.

    Finish: first ripe cherry, slowly becoming bitter, oak, medium long

    A very soft and pleasant whisky with no big edges, tasty to sip away and therefore earned 84 points

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