Blog Post by Luka Gottschalk
New Special Edition of Arran 10 Year Old
It’s always a welcome reunion when I have whisky from the Lochranza Distillery on the Isle of Arran in my glass. The core range is a permanent fixture in my whisky collection and, in my opinion, some of the best whisky you can buy without breaking the bank.
So when I read the news about a fresh spin on the classic 10-year-old bottling, my interest was instantly piqued!
The biggest and most notable change from the classic Arran 10 is the type of barley malt used.
In this new “Arran Barley 10 Years Old,” locally harvested barley from the nearby “Bellevue Farm” has been used.
This means the entire contents of the bottle originate from the Isle of Arran.
Additionally, the ABV has been raised to a regal 50%, compared to the traditional 46% we know from the classic Arran 10.
According to the distillery, the cask maturation style remains very similar to the original, so the real difference in taste should come from the change in barley and the higher alcohol content.
In the glass, you’ll see a pale amber-golden liquid that looks nicely oily without being overly thick.
The nose is unmistakably Arran: spicy and fresh with notes of vanilla, oak, honeydew melon, and orange peel. It reminds me a lot of the classic Arran 10, though with a more pronounced spicy edge.
The palate offers freshly cracked black pepper, tropical fruits, bananas, peaches, grapes, and a lovely sweet barley malt. There’s plenty of power and volume without it becoming overwhelming.
The finish moves into darker territory with even more sweetness. I get notes of roasted coffee beans, cocoa powder, and toasted nuts. It actually reminds me a bit of tiramisu—minus the nuts!
I’d best describe this new release as a delightful cross between the classic Arran 10 and the bold Arran Quarter Cask, yet with its own distinct personality. I must say I’m thrilled that it’s currently available for just over a modest sum!
This bottling is marked as “Batch 001,” and new editions will be released annually, featuring different barley types and maturation styles. I look forward to trying them all!
