Arran 2015 Private Cask Collection Itinéraires 9 yo

 

 

 

60,7°

Distillery : Isle of Arran/Lochranza - Islands

Refill Sherry Hogshead

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 50 ppm

 

 

 

Also part of the Collection Itinéraires, this 9-year-old Arran has been crafted from heavily peated barley. Previously, it was the Machrie Moor brand that represented peated whisky from the island’s first distillery. But now that another distillery exists, dedicated solely to peat, Machrie Moor has disappeared, and this type of bottling is set to disappear too. This whisky was matured in a Refill Sherry Hogshead, 179 bottles are being released, and it has been selected by La Maison du Whisky for priority sale in France.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It’s fresh, bursting with citrus and caramel, yet also minty, with a robust, mineral-driven peatiness, salt crystals, a touch of limestone, quartz and iodine. Rustic grains, ginger, dark chocolate, subtle smoke, raisins. On the palate, it is robust, lemon and grapefruit, barley biscuits, gingerbread, and a good layer of peat and spices, clove, cumin, nutmeg. A very long, powerful finish, apple fritters, quince jam, almond paste, coffee grounds, shards of basalt rock, gypsum. 

 

In Short, 

I really enjoyed it, the peat is intense, dry and mineral, truly characteristic, and it gives the spirit a strong personality, lending it a lovely character. The Sherry is not at all powerful, that leaves room for the distillate to thrive in an interesting way. Unfortunately, it’s a bit too expensive for my taste. Otherwise, I might well consider buying it.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            Kelsey Lu - Dreams

Arran 2009 Private Cask Collection Itinéraires 15 yo

 

 

 

57,8°

Distillery : Isle of Arran/Lochranza - Islands

Ex-Sherry Hogshead 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The Collection Itinéraires, launched by La Maison du Whisky on the occasion of Whisky Live 2025, features three Arran whiskies, including this one, which was distilled in 2009 and then matured for 15 years, eight months and two days in an ex-sherry hogshead. All this resulted in 254 bottles. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

The sherry is not overly powerful, blood orange, mandarin, salted butter caramel, vanilla and milk chocolate, mirabelle plums and Reine-Claude plums, lemon tart, dates, dried apricots, and some cereal notes, toasted wheat, barley, millet. On the palate, it is predominantly fruity, luscious, grapefruit, Comice pear, lychee, shortbread biscuits, gingerbread, peppermint, a hint of cinnamon and ginger. The finish is quite powerful, white grapes, zucchini flower fritters, pumpkin soup, puffed rice, crunchy chocolate, a sprig of thyme. 

 

In Short, 

It really is an open-style sherry, which doesn’t hide the whisky at all, on the contrary, it adds complexity by broadening its flavour profile. You can still make out the distillery’s character, albeit softened considerably by the influence of the wood. This results in a lovely, fairly complex fruitiness. That said, nothing too spectacular either, I wonder if it’s actually worth the price in the end.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Sirius - Stay with Me

Arran 2014 Private Cask Collection Itinéraires 10 yo

 

 

 

57,8°

Distillery : Isle of Arran/Lochranza - Islands

1st Fill Bourbon Barrel

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

In the Itinéraires collection launched at Whisky Live Paris 2025, this Single Cask from the Lochranza distillery, formerly known as Isle of Arran, is sure to intrigue. Matured for 10 years and almost 9 months in a single first-fill bourbon barrel, it will showcase the distillate. 233 bottles are available for sale, suggesting that the cask was small, which promises a beautiful interaction with the wood.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Light and indulgent nose with a hint of wax, grainy cereals, pine forest, orchard fruits, yellow apples, Comice pears and a touch of citrus zest. Smooth and supple woodiness, mint leaf, ginger and a pinch of cinnamon. On the palate, it is creamier, candied vanilla, frosted lemon, herbaceous notes and acacia honey. Spices full of vitality but not overpowering. Long, full-bodied, powerful finish, glue and green liquorice, blond tobacco, dried fruit, dates, pineapple, hazelnuts, muesli, verbena, bay leaf. Fried onions.

 

In Short, 

A beautiful, well-crafted Arran, typical of the distillery but with a touch of originality nonetheless. Despite being a first-fill bourbon barrel, it is not overly fruity or sweet, but rather has notes of wax, forest and various spices. As for the price, it is a little high for what it is, so it might be better to wait for a promotion.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Horsegirl - In Twos

Arran 2001 Premium Cask Collection Foundations 22 yo

 

 

 

46,4°

Distillery : Isle of Arran/Lochranza - Islands

Bourbon Barrel 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

After the success of the l'Arran 1995 launched at the Whisky Live Paris 2023, a number of the distillery's fine bottlings have been specially crafted for the Whisky Live Paris 2024, including this one, which matured for 22 years in a Hogshead Bourbon before 150 bottles were offered to the public. It is, of course, integrated into the Foundations Collection.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Very mellow on the nose, candied fruits, almond paste, apricots, orange zest, pear coated in milk chocolate. Costal touches, with sea salt, sea spray, limestone. Citrus syrup, molasses, light floral fragrances. On the palate, the fruit is fuller, white grape, redcurrant, red apple, even exotic, papaya, lychee, pineapple. The spices are varied, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg. Herbaceous notes, sage, tall grass, reeds. sunflower oil, almond milk, roasted nuts, warm chestnuts, perhaps a whiff of smoke, a drop of passion fruit.

 

In Short, 

It's really good, this very fruity character and at the same time costal. A typical distillery bottling, woody, grainy fruit and a slight maritime touch. It's very successful, but lacks a little power. The price, on the other hand, is powerful and rather disproportionate. 

Score : 89   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Space Traveler - Lady of the Night

Arran 2012 Private Cask Collection Foundations 11 yo

 

 

 

55,9°

Distillery : Lochranza, Isle of Arran - Islands

Bourbon Barrel 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 20 ppm

To complement the 14-year-old I mentioned earlier, these gentlemen from Arran have released this 11-year-old, which is peated. The Isle of Arran distillery distilled its first peated whisky in 2004, and released it in 2010 under the name Machrie Moor, the first in a long series that has recently come to an end. This bottling is therefore an opportunity to rediscover peated Arran, which will happen very rarely from now on, as priority must be given to the neighbouring Lagg distillery, which produces only peated whisky. Aged in a Single Bourbon Barrel, it gives pride of place to the distillate. 240 bottles are on sale.

Let's Taste It : 

The peat is light and blends very well with the lemony and costal notes. Candied lemon, liquid honey, a pinch of sea salt, foam and sea spray, but it remains delicate. In the background, limestone ash, quicklime and ointment. On the palate, it becomes more herbaceous, reeds, nettles, grapefruit, lively spices, almonds, pecans, chalk, yellow plum and golden apple. The finish is powerful enough, long and pleasant, iodine and fleur de sel, sediments, quartz, slate, grey mushrooms, lichen, dry earth.

In Short, 

It seems very good to me, the costal character of the distillery is well highlighted, with mineral notes increased by the peat, which is nevertheless quite discreet. I think it will delight fans of peated Arran, but I find the price a bit high for what it is.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The Sixsters - Hurricane in my Soul

Arran 2009 Private Cask Collection Foundations 14 yo

 

 

 

56,5°

Distillery :  Lochranza, Isle of Arran - Islands

Refill Sherry Hogshead

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

The Isle of Arran distillery has been in existence since 1995, but since 2019 it is no longer alone on the island, which is why it has changed its name. This one, distilled in 2009 and kept for 14 years, 7 months and 22 days in a Refill Sherry Hogshead, is full of promise. The Maison du Whisky has made no mistake, selecting this bottling to be part of the Foundations collection showcased at Whisky Live Paris 2024. 270 bottles have been crafted.

Let's Taste It : 

An oily, jammy Sherry, with apricot and raspberry, mirabelle plum, pear, but also airy, with traces of salt and iodine, cereals, puffed rice, barley, salted butter caramel, blood oranges, red carrots. A few malty hints. The palate is creamy, vanilla cream, caramel and candied lemon. Notes of liquorice and nuts, discreet spices, nutmeg, white pepper. Long, deep finish, exotic spices, hazelnuts, ginger, mint leaf, brown tobacco, with a delicate woodiness. Cashew nuts.

In Short, 

Very nice Arran, the Sherry is perfectly integrated, the fruit is expressive but doesn't hide the distillery's profile, it's really pleasant. What's more, the price is more or less acceptable, which is rare enough to be worth mentioning. Enthusiasts can try a purchase.

Score : 89

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Cindy Lee - Dracula

Arran 10 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Lochranza, Isle of Arran - Islands

60% 1st Fill Bourbon Barrels, 40% 1st Fill and Refill Sherry Hoghsheads 

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2019

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The distillery's first 10-year-old was released in 2006, and was named The Arran Malt 10yo. Then, in 2019, the range was completely changed, and it became more soberly Arran 10 yo. I don't know if the recipe has changed. Some say that there is now more Sherry, which is quite possible. In any case, this is the starting point for the regular range from this distillery, which changed its name in 2020.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Honey and buttered toasts, vergeoise, peanut butter. White fruits and lemon, banana, and even a touch of pineapple and papaya. Behind, a pinch of salt, the sea air, the tide. Woody notes, young wood bursting with sap. On the palate, it's a little light but pleasant, creamy vanilla with lemon meringue zest, yellow plum pulp, lively spices, white pepper, cumin. Robust but slightly short finish, roasted pineapple, bamboo and palm, hazelnuts. A slice of lime, rosewater.

 

In Short, 

It's quite well made, and the influence of Sherry Hogsheads adds something extra, some fruitiness and a few nuts. For such a young whisky, it's a success. I just find it a little light on the palate. The price is decent, so it's worth a try.

Score : 85

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Josh Geoghegan - Say You'll Stay

Arran 1995 Single Cask 27 yo

 

 

 

49,8°

Distillery : Lochranza, Isle of Arran - Islands 

Sherry Hogshead 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

This is the bottle that caused the biggest buzz at the last Whisky Live Paris, all the experts said it was the best. It's a 27-year-old Isle of Arran, distilled in the year the distillery was launched, and aged in a Sherry Hogshead. 293 bottles were produced and sold exclusively in France, under the New Vibrations label created by La Maison du Whisky.

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is well rounded and balanced, with a suave, honeyed texture and pulpy prunes in the background. Plums of all kinds, mirabelles, greengages, damsons, all juicy, with malty, cereal-like hints. Dried fruits, dates, sultanas. Smooth, brioche-like on the palate, still very fruity, with discreet spices, nutmeg and cloves. Panettone, candied fruit cake. Almost vinous, syrupy, oily notes, blood orange, lime. Quite a long, gently explosive finish, chocolate mousse, cocoa powder, tinged with coffee, praline, and hazelnut shortbread biscuits.

 

In Short, 

It's true that there's something special about it, with all those almost candied dried fruits and honey-coated citrus fruits. But I didn't enjoy it as much as some, I thought it lacked power, and that the Sherry didn't blend perfectly with the distillate. Anyway, given the price, it's better not to like it, so you don't have any regrets.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Meena Cryle - It Makes Me Scream

The Arran Malt 14 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Lochranza, Isle of Arran - Islands 

1st Fill Bourbon Barrel and Sherry Hogsheads 

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2014

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

The Isle of Arran distillery was founded in 1995, and the 14-year-old was produced in 2010. Made from a blend of Bourbon Barrels and Sherry Hogsheads, the distillate has yet been given pride of place. The design of the bottle was completely changed in 2014, without necessarily changing the recipe. In 2019, the distillery's range was completely overhauled, and unfortunately this expression disappeared.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It's malty, mellow and slightly spicy. Whole walnut, waxed floor, chestnut in its bug. Ripe fruits, greengages and cherries. Green wood, like a shadow of smoke. Lime and lychees, fresh cardamom. Fruity, leafy palate, ginger and mint jelly, crunchy pears, quince jam, white gooseberries. Light spices, pepper and nutmeg. Long, powerful finish, liquorice stick, amadou wood, farmhouse bread and fig pulp, candied angelica. Oats sprinkled with flour. A zest of lemon.

 

In Short, 

What a shame they stopped producing this little delight. The influence of the cask is very slight, it just enhances the fruit, and we have a very pure distillate, quite country-like and pastoral. An old school whisky. It's very pleasant and light, with discreet lemon and vegetal fragrances. I'll have to taste the bottle carefully, as there will certainly be no more.

Score : 86 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Bill Withers - Harlem

The Arran The Amarone Cask Finish

 

 

 

50°

Distillery : Lochranza, Isle of Arran - Islands

Ex-Bourbon Barrels and Italian Red Wine Amarone Finish

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2010

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured 

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The Cask Finish series includes three bottlings in the regular range: Sauternes Cask Finish, Port Cask Finish and Amarone Cask Finish. Three finishes in wine casks, each one a different wine, which have been complemented since 2016 by annual limited editions, also finished in wine casks.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The influence of Italian red wine casks makes this something warm, spicy, fruity, pear and plum. Floral and forest hints, tulip, undergrowth. Nutmeg and cloves. On the palate it's mainly woody, heather earth, oak bark, cinnamon. Prune, muscat grapes, caramel, wine lees. Slight lemon in the background. Very good finish, quite long, and fruity as well as pastry-like. Milk chocolate, cherries in kirsch, orange marmalade. A touch of charcoal at the end. Tannins.

 

In Short, 

No wonder it has been the distillery's success for ten years now, it's a fine blend. Personally, I think it could be better, if it were aged a little longer, and if the influence of the bourbon in the background were not so noticeable. But I'm probably being too picky, it's worth buying one without thinking.

Score : 85

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                           Aretha Franklin - I Dreamed a Dream

Machrie Moor Cask Strength The Peated Arran Malt

 

 

 

56,2°

Distillery : Lochranza, Isle of Arran - Islands

Ex-Bourbon Casks 

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2018

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 20 ppm

After 4 limited annual editions of this Machrie Moor Cask Strength, Isle of Arran has decided to release it as part of its permanent range. As a result, I'm not sure it is still cask strength.

Let's Taste It : 

Granular peat, gravel, tar, coal. A bit sticky, vegetal. Marshes, mud, reeds. Something tropical. Humus. Forest humidity. Fruits behind, rather discreet. Apples, pears and honey. Nice palate, with vanilla and custard. A hint of lemon, counterbalanced by the thick peat. Fairly rich spices. But the finish is average, kind of short and lacking explosiveness, which is a bit of a shame for a cask strength, which is what we came for. Cola, earth, chocolate and coffee.

In Short, 

Not bad at all, for a distillery that doesn't specialise in peat. That said, it's still a long way from Islay, and the finish lacks punch.

Score : 85

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                                     Talking Heads - Psycho Killer

Arran Sherry Cask 7 yo

 

 

 

55,8°

Distillery : Lochranza, Isle of Arran - Islands

1st Fill Sherry Hogsheads 

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2019

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

Seeking to revive the sherry cask-aged bottlings for which the Isle of Arran was famous when dozens of distilleries flourished there, Isle of Arran is offering this new entry in their usual range, dubbed The Bodega, although it doesn't say so on the bottle, nor does it say how old it is.

Let's Taste It : 

They went all out with the sherry. It's certainly fruity, with apple compote and raisins, meringue pie and cinnamon, quince marmalade, but I find it lacking in depth. It's pleasant on the palate though, very woody, with some spices, paprika, cloves, nutmeg. You can feel that it's quite young, but the damsons and blackcurrants have a field day, as do the tart tatin and lemon cream. The finish is not very long, sandy, paprika and saffron, cranberries, gooseberries.

In Short, 

It's pretty good value for money for a cask strength, and will suit any self-respecting sherry bomb enthusiast. Personally, I didn't like it very much, there was something about the balance between the wood and the sherry that I didn't like.

Score : 85

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                           The B-52's - Love Shack