Arran The High Seas

Overall rating
85.59/100
votes
229
Whiskybase ID
WB86701
Category
Single Malt
Distillery
Bottler
Distillery Bottling
Bottling serie
Smugglers' Series Volume 2
Bottled
2016
Number of bottles
8700
Strength
55.4 % Vol.
Size
700 ml 750 ml
Bottle code
L 08 10 16
Barcode
5060044483158
Added on
12 sep 2016 7:26 am by maltaholic
UncoloredNon-chillfilteredCask Strength
Arran The High Seas
Photo by JSW
Arran The High Seas
Photo by RoyalScotsman
Arran The High Seas
Photo by maltaholic
Arran The High Seas
Photo by alex..w..fan
Arran The High Seas
Photo by aleoni
Arran The High Seas
Photo by aleoni
Arran The High Seas
Photo by aleoni

Average value

€ 518.74

Found 12 online shops. Lowest price:

€ 385.00
gb Hard To Find Whisky £ 499.85
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Whisky reviews for Arran The High Seas

40 users have left 42 reviews for this whisky. Average rating is 85.59 points.

  1. Thermidor scored this whisky 85 points Connoisseur

    I've been avoiding these Smugglers bottles because I was put off by the fake worn retro labels and the overdone packaging, but turns out this is not a bad whisky at all. Sure you get the feeling it's made rather than matured, but the result has a unique and pleasing taste.
    • Nose
      Such heavy fruit juice notes I'm thinking first fill sherry was involved. Nectarines, grape juice, and some smoke from the distillate. Roasted pineapples, and... uh, burnt tires? Water brings vanilla and highland mist.
    • Taste
      What a surprise: I'm reminded of Bellevue rum, especially how its esters feel on the tongue. Pineapple juice, digestive cookies, and rosemary. There's also some side I'd call medicinal but it's not like ammonia or tablets but rather some herbal ointment. Water makes it sweeter and bolder.
    • Finish
      Longish, with pineapple, that medical ointment, and with water, a bit of plastic.

  2. ailean scored this whisky 87 points Connoisseur

  3. Funtik scored this whisky 86 points Connoisseur

  4. Ostap scored this whisky 88 points Connoisseur

    2017-09-22:
    Interesting for tasting, unusual whisky. Develops well, changes in aroma. Meaningful and juicy to taste, with interesting salinity. Even aftertaste.
    • Nose
      88 88
      Sensibly honey, with a smoky note, waxed wood, spices for meat, garlic-bread, juniper souvenir, creamy iris, mint, village barn, sea theme (salt, algae, stones), cucumber brine, dust, mineral , dried mushrooms, raw earth, radish, ginger, juicy sweet and sour berries, ice cream "Creme brulee" in a glass, meat in sweet and sour sauce, buckwheat porridge with milk, buckwheat honey, steamed grits. Very meaningful in aroma.
    • Taste
      89 89
      Spices, pepper, meat with sweet and sour sauce, citrus fruits, ascorbic acid, oily, the degree is slightly biting, pleasant salinity.
    • Finish
      87 87
      Warms, longer than average, pepper, oak, rum, floral, with meat, oak dry bitterness.

  5. EvilAFI scored this whisky 89 points Expert Senior

    A nice balance of wine influence, peat, malt/bread notes, spice and light pepper.
    • Nose
      Sweet wine influence, peat, spicy, strawberry, vanilla
    • Taste
      Raspberry jam, ashy peat, oak, wpi

  6. Markie81 scored this whisky 81 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      81 81
    • Taste
      84 84
    • Finish
      78 78

  7. Andytka3 scored this whisky 81 points Connoisseur

    N- Nosing something similar to Bruichladdich in this one, brine, feint, ashy with sticky high strength. Sweet tea, juvenile cough syrup of red berries, sweetened mashed banana and maraschino that whirl around the nice but rather sweet rum nuances. Modern, superficial, not as characterful as the packaging. (86/20)

    P- Sour fruits, liquorice with apparent sweet peat, honey, more syrup and sweet medicinal. Jammy with restrained spiciness, some orange come thru. Syrupy that leads to cloying. (86/20)

    F- Medium-long, plenty of smokes stays at the back palate, gingery, liquorice and dry on fore note. Strength tartness remains with dominant gold Rum influence. For those with sweet tooth. (86/20)

    B/B- 87/21

    Cr-1, Fr-2, Fl-0, Pt-1, Ft-2, Sp-0, Wd-2, Wn-2, Sc-1

    Weighted Rate- 81pt
    — at The Whisky Bar, Kuala Lumpur.
    • Nose
      N- Nosing something similar to Bruichladdich in this one, brine, feint, ashy with sticky high strength. Sweet tea, juvenile cough syrup of red berries, sweetened mashed banana and maraschino that whirl around the nice but rather sweet rum nuances. Modern, superficial, not as characterful as the packaging. (86/20)
    • Taste
      P- Sour fruits, liquorice with apparent sweet peat, honey, more syrup and sweet medicinal. Jammy with restrained spiciness, some orange come thru. Syrupy that leads to cloying. (86/20)
    • Finish
      F- Medium-long, plenty of smokes stays at the back palate, gingery, liquorice and dry on fore note. Strength tartness remains with dominant gold Rum influence. For those with sweet tooth. (86/20)

      B/B- 87/21

      Cr-1, Fr-2, Fl-0, Pt-1, Ft-2, Sp-0, Wd-2, Wn-2, Sc-1

      Weighted Rate- 81pt
      — at The Whisky Bar, Kuala Lumpur.

  8. mema82 scored this whisky 86 points Connoisseur

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

  9. hans1971 scored this whisky 86 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      84 84
    • Taste
      87 87
    • Finish
      86 86

  10. WhiskyBjorn83 scored this whisky 76 points Expert Senior

    09-02-2019
    • Nose
      73 73
      hot glue, hint of solvent evaporates almost immediately, fruit
    • Taste
      78 78
      grain, malt, hint of sea salt
    • Finish
      76 76
      grain, citric, hint of sea salt, dry

  11. Whiskydufftown scored this whisky 87 points Connoisseur

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

  12. Calmar scored this whisky 87 points Connoisseur

    Young, but very dense and saturated whisky, very active, invigorating with mineral-industrial inclusions. In development it becomes deeper, even more saturated with a deviation in sweetness.
    • Nose
      Open, wet, grain, malt, freshly planed boards, spiky mineral-metallic notes - a wet grindstone, sparkles from a cigarette lighter (xs still to say, a smell when cutting a spark in lighters), stone dust; sweet confectionery notes, fondant, toffee; light nuance shades, carpenter's workshop.
    • Taste
      Powerful, saturated, woody-grain, sweet, peppery wave, tartness of the bark, light tablety bitterness, dried fruit, cappuccino,
    • Finish
      Spicy, warming, oak, roasted nuts, cocoa, bitter chocolate, marvelous-cereal notes,

  13. Seb.Whisky scored this whisky 90 points Expert Senior

    www.passionduwhisky.com
    • Nose
      Nez : Dés que je l'ai porté à mon nez, j'ai été transporté. Le ton est donné, c'est beurré sans être lourd, il y a un panier de fruits sucrés. La tourbe est contenue dans ce bois influencé par le rhum. Sans en ajouter, fermez les yeux et vous êtes dans les chais. L'herbe grasse, caramel, des notes citronnées et poivrées tout en souplesse. Crème d'abricot et vanille. Un peu d'eau va éveiller ce côté poisseux que prend parfois la tourbe. Une glace maltée accompagnée de quelques feuilles de menthe poivrée. Une pâte de fruits secs, noix de cajou, pistaches. 
    • Taste
      Bouche : Huileuse, enveloppante. Bien épicée, avec une pointe plus acide. Les végétaux se placent au balcon. Il faut bien prendre le temps de le mâcher, pour rencontrer le bourbon vanillé, caramélisé, ses notes de rhum ambré. La tourbe est plutôt portée sur la suie, un peu à la Springbank. Lorsque vous y jetez quelques gouttes d'eau, les huiles se diffusent immédiatement. 
    • Finish
      Finale : Une amertume végétale s'installe, tranche avec le nez très gras et fruité. Du sel se dépose sur les lèvres. Beurre doux, pomme. 

  14. mr.p9 scored this whisky 86 points Expert Senior

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

  15. OKoster scored this whisky 87 points Expert Senior

    The High Seas whisky from the Arran Distillery is the second release in the Smuggler's Series. This series was released to celebrate the illicit distillation that took place on the island in the 18th and 19th centuries. The High Seas is made with both peated and unpeated malt, aged in rum casks and ex-bourbon barrels. The bottle comes packaged inside a hollowed out book.
    • Nose
      90 90
    • Taste
      85 85
    • Finish
      80 80

  16. Oldpultnie scored this whisky 84 points Connoisseur

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

  17. Oldpultnie scored this whisky 84 points Connoisseur

    For me the best out the three volumes.
    • Nose
      Fresh nose, citrus and seabreeze. Little smoke and a perfume I can't put my finger on. This is probably the rum I'm not familiar with.
    • Taste
      Fresh and warming. A little smoke and burning fire. Sugar and malt sweetness, chocolate and vanilla. Good body.
    • Finish
      Medium finish drying out with a more woody taste.

  18. frontalex scored this whisky 86 points Member Senior

    • Nose
      85 85
    • Taste
      88 88
    • Finish
      88 88

  19. Mannix65 scored this whisky 84 points Connoisseur

    I like it a bit better than the Smuggler No 1, but I will still not be remembered for the price and the hype disappointing
    • Nose
      Fruity and bready, fruit muesli with apricots and peach, very alcoholic, eagle-owl glue, a trace of cloves, malt
    • Taste
      hot and peppery, behind the alcohol wall is apricot, very dry in the mouth - with the addition of water it collapses
    • Finish
      relatively long, spicy and dry

  20. Mannix65 scored this whisky 84 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      84 84
    • Taste
      83 83
    • Finish
      83 83

  21. Segens scored this whisky 87 points Connoisseur

    I am not rating the current price of >200€. I am not taking prices into account of my ratings usually.

    For me a good dram that I like and would love to drink on a daily base which is not really possible as there are good Arrans for around 50 bucks out there that are giving me back similar impressions and quality. I also preferred the Number 1 of this series vs this one.
    • Nose
      Honey, peaches, raisins, citric, apricots, oranges

      Good sweetness but also not too complex stuff
    • Taste
      Honey sweetness on the tongue and then the fruity components as from the nose. Very nice fruit mix which is now more tropical and also a bit more complex than the nose. On the second sip I also have oak wood influence which gives a nice opposite to the fruity part.
    • Finish
      nothing spectacular but solid and a very very decent bitterness in the finish.

  22. markjedi1 scored this whisky 83 points Connoisseur

    Very atypical Arran, making it interesting, but it’s not stunner and the least of the series in my humble opinion. Those who did not open theirs, can still get rid of it on auctions for 200 to 300 EUR – which is quite ridiculous. 
    • Nose
      Oh, this is a special nose. At first I get some bicycle tire and laundry softener… Not my cup of tea. Luckily that evaporates fairly quickly to be replaced with a mix of fruit like apples and pears. Loads of camphor and a chemical sweetness. I really need to leave it for quite a while before some almonds, oranges and dried apricots can emerge. The rum suddenly kicks in with molasses and sugars. Close your eyes, ban Arran from your mind and you will only smell a young rum. Not really for me.
    • Taste
      The body is almost watery. Honeysweet on barley sugars, rum raisins, apricots and baked apples. Very spicy too, on cinnamon, white pepper and a hint of sea salt. I guess that last one had to be present. Oh, lest I forget, it also has a trace of menthol, which seems a bit out of place.
    • Finish
      You can call the finish long. It is also mildly drying and spicy until the death. The menthol has the final word.

  23. Hemdl scored this whisky 85 points Connoisseur

    I honestly never understood the hype surrounding Arran. Even the "High Seas" is a quite decent, but by no means outstanding malt. The round of these bottlings is based solely in the outer packaging, there are dozens more interesting and cheaper - malts on the market.
    • Nose
      Slightly alcoholic, noticeable citrus and floral notes. The Rumfässer quite noticeable, give the whole a nice sweet-fruity note. After some time in the glass quite dry and spicy.
    • Taste
      Strong start. Noticeable pepper sharpness and spicy oak notes shake hands. Here, too, the Rumfässer quite noticeable and surprisingly strong. Here also light smoke, through which the fruity notes from the barrels (pears) flash again and again.
    • Finish
      Long and powerful finish, slightly astringent. Smoke, spicy tannins and some fruit sweetness. In the end, a little bit of bitterness.

  24. Lauzz82 scored this whisky 85 points Member Senior

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

  25. Tobi2100 scored this whisky 85 points Expert Senior

    Does not need water for me. Yes that's a strange malt not bad, but not really good. I do not need a whole bottle of. The price is completely over it, but was not to be expected with such a bottle also differently.
    • Nose
      Sea air, chalk, chalky, rum, sweet, vanilla, apricot compote, then sour lemons, limes, I can not find smoke!
    • Taste
      Lemons, sweet, salty, grapefruit, orange marmalade
    • Finish
      Wood, salt, herbs, thyme

  26. Daniel Hohleweg scored this whisky 87 points Connoisseur

    Pleasant, interesting malt.
    • Nose
      Citrus notes, floral and grassy, ​​almost perfumed. Apricots, vanilla and malt sweetness. The rum comes through too.
    • Taste
      The notes remain from the nose. Malt and vanilla dominate something. Also the citrus fruits and the apricots are shown to good effect. The floral, perfumed steps back a little.
    • Finish
      The fruits stay long. In addition, from the malt and vanilla sweetness certain pastry notes develop.

  27. St. Pauli scored this whisky 85 points Connoisseur

    Not bad, yet not my style either. If you like to have it a natural and a bith rough, then don't add water. Otherwise, you will get a typical Speyside syle whisky. Nothing wrong with that eiter, but just so you know.
    • Nose
      Quite young, pungent with pears, apples and almonds. The latter vanishes, and in return come vanilla, mint, orange and apricot. It's also a little soapy/perfumed.
    • Taste
      As such the style seems rather light, but there is an intense peppery note to it. Also it's quite salty. In my opinion, these senses overpower the rest. What remains is a hint of rum raisins, apricot, barley and bit of mint.
    • Finish
      Also rather pepper-driven, with some dry notes from the sherry, dried fruit (raisins mainly), mint and vanilla.

  28. stefsel111 scored this whisky 87 points Connoisseur

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

  29. maltaholic scored this whisky 83 points Connoisseur

    Overall, very interesting. The price, however, uninteresting.
    • Nose
      Smells very alcoholic. That's the problem when a whisky is strong and young. There's some sherry there, sweet notes, but the aroma does not really develop ...
    • Taste
      Tasteful but immediately great. Oh, wow, pull in! It floods my mouth, drives all the juices. Now I feel the Rumfass more and more clear, makes itself noticeable in the finish. With a little water, it becomes milder, more aromatic. Now comes vanilla, grapes, chocolate.
    • Finish
      Pretty long, the rum acts after ...

  30. whiskeyjedi scored this whisky 50 points Member Senior

    Arran - The High Seas
    55.4%
    Tasted Nov. 2016
    N distinct Rumfinish, soft pasture
    G extremely prickly, unpleasant, with water in order.
    Really disappointing for the price.
    50

  31. mer1973 scored this whisky 87 points Connoisseur

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

  32. LiquidThoughts scored this whisky 85 points Connoisseur

    Wow, that was strange. Like most of Arran's luxury NAS (just this one more) it looks very strange and almost chemically composed, but somehow good. I preferred the punch bowls and the first smugglers, sorry!
    • Nose
      Citrus notes, nice light coastal air, a bit snappy (but normal for 55%), a few floral notes in between, hints of mint, vanilla, apricots
    • Taste
      Mint, very strong mint, then a lot of salt, as if you had fallen into the sea, the entire mouth engaging with puddles full of lime and lemon juice, in between always the mint and the salty ocean, long behind it is more towards anise, a bit bitter oak and a bit perfumed, pine forest

      At the second sip, I notice why it seems so familiar to me! Reminds me in the first 3-5 seconds in the mouth extremely (!) Of some Agricole Rhums, these Esther notes and blend of acidity and lightness with citrus notes and some salt, yes, definitely.
    • Finish
      Pine, salt and lemon are left behind, strong-kräutrig, medium-long

  33. AH Whiskyvitrine scored this whisky 88 points Connoisseur

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

  34. hfos scored this whisky 87 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      86 86
    • Taste
      88 88
    • Finish
      85 85

  35. Hvdree scored this whisky 86 points Connoisseur

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

  36. Daan Tje scored this whisky 88 points Connoisseur

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

  37. rpvdwel scored this whisky 87 points Connoisseur

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

  38. whiskybros scored this whisky 89 points Expert Junior

    You can find our review here http://www.whiskybros.com/single-post/2016/11/13/Arran-The-High-Seas-Smuggler
    • Nose
      90 90
    • Taste
      89 89
    • Finish
      90 90

  39. Drk Neknul scored this whisky 85 points Expert Senior

    The 'High Series' epitomizes the second installment of the limited edition Smugglers trilogy released last year with the release of 'Illicit Stills'. Arran had already set a new standard with the repackaging of the green 'Illicit Stills'. The red 'High Seas' naturally fits in perfectly. Just succeeded. Not only was the heavy-metal distillery in the Illicit Stills widespread in Scotland in the 18th century. The alcohol smuggling was in full bloom. Arran, on the other hand, because of its proximity to the seaports in Ayrshire and the lucrative marketplaces of major emerging cities such as Glasgow, has a special significance as a hub of all smuggling in the region. Brandy, Port, various wines and, of course, rum. All of this has been smuggled over Arran in huge amounts, the distillery tells us in the blurb of the book. To the malt itself. Of course again a NAS bottling. I'm still more of age, but so be it. The malt is as expected again a Vatting, but from only three and thus significantly fewer individual components than the Illicit stills. What is actually in it in the Arran Smuggler 2? First, unleavened malt with rumfinish, ripened in 200l American Oak Barrels, secondly Heavily Peated Malt (50ppm), matured in 200l ex-Bourbon barrels and last but not least malt matured in 200l Fresh Bourbon barrels. Sounds not bad but not really spectacular. What can one expect? Bourbon vanilla and sweet fruit notes, embedded in smoke flavors, I would shoot from the hip. So get it! Eye / nose: light gold. Goes well with the content. In the nose, the malt surprised me at the beginning a little with some quite strong alcohol notes. I left it open for half an hour and it is also perfectly tempered. The framework conditions can not be. Okay, cask strength is now drum strength. The alcoholic impression then disappears almost completely even after a short time and gives way to a slight apricot sweetness and a different kind of spiciness, which is less dominant and more peppery. Smoke? Hmmmh ... even the Kavalan Peaty Casks available in Europe seem smokier. At most, very restrained and after some time in the glass makes a slight smoke noticeable. More an idea than real feeling. All in all quite pleasant nose, at best a bit too reserved perhaps for my personal taste. Palate: I feel it warm and almost gentle for a grip strength on the tongue. Just like the illicit stills, the high seas also have a nice texture. Very beautiful, full of body. In terms of taste, it reminds me almost spontaneously of fruit gum or a mild fruit brandy. Apricot, rite apples and melon can be tasted out. Positively formulated, the fresh Arran Brennereicharakter is still good effect. Also give the now clearer, warm campfire smoke flavors the high seas a strong, round flavor. No medical influences. The 50ppm in the Arran are more reminiscent of Lochindaal and Longrow than of Ardbeg and Laphroaig. Bourbon notes and light spicy notes complement the, as already mentioned, fresh taste experience. Round and delicious yes, unexpectedly complex, as it was the Illicit Stills, rather not. Finish / Conclusion: Again, the sweet smoke is guarantor for a full, long finish. Particularly complex or even spectacular he does not really affect me in the summary of all impressions. Straightforward and fruity-sweet with a hint of smoke is most likely to hit it. You look for missing notes in vain.

  40. JacobaEd scored this whisky 86 points Connoisseur

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

  41. Drochaid scored this whisky 87 points Connoisseur

    Nose: Citrus fruits in the foreground, with hints of algae and coastal character. Orchard fruits, white pepper, and a subtle dry touch of Fino make this whisky complex. There is a hint of burnt pine wood in the background.
    Palate: A sensation in the mouth of fruit ice character. Fresh spearmint appears and mixes with warm Bramley apple pie and ice cream. Then lime jam with chilli and a hint of smoke from a just lit fire from pine trunks. The addition of water shows honey, melon and pear with a pleasant sweetness.
    Finish: The Distillery character clearly shines through with apples, citrus fruits and good body remaining in the subtle smoke.

  42. mp3duck did not rate this whisky Member Senior

    Producer's Tasting Note:
    Nose: Citrus fruits are at the fore, mingling with smells evocative of the outdoors; a touch of seaweed hints at coastal character. Orchard fruits, white pepper, and a subtle dry note reminiscent of fino sherry make this a complex nose. A hint of burned pine wood is in the background.
    Palate: A fizzing mouthfeel with sherbet character. A fresh spearmint note appears and mingles with warm bramley apple pie and ice cream. There is tangy lime marmalade with chilli pepper heat and a whiff of smoke from a just-lit fire of pine logs. The addition of water shows honey dew melon and pear drop sweets.
    Finish: Distillery character shines through; notes of apples, citrus and good body are elongated by a backbone of subtle smoke.

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