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Arran 12 Year Old / Cask Strength / Batch 6

Salted Caramel

4 1184

@markjedi1Review by @markjedi1

17th Nov 2018

1

  • Nose
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  • Taste
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  • Finish
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  • Overall
    84

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

This 12 Year Old Cask Strength appeared in 2016 and seems to be the last of its kind. I did not see such a release in 2017 (nor in 2018, but the year is only halfway after all). Looks like this Batch 6 is the final one.

Lovely mix of white orchard fruit, sultanas, marzipan and Reine Claude plums, with a truckload of vanilla. Some salted caramel. Becomes quite herbal after a few moments. Green garden herbs, a pinch of pepper and something of buttercups. Soft and summery. If I add water, it loses some of its sweetness and brings out more of the green notes.

The arrival is quite powerful – even a touch alcoholic – and very piquant on white pepper and cinnamon. The fruit returns, joined by a hint of banana and a lot of bitter oranges. The salted caramel returns and becomes dominant. A bit drying. Just a tad too much wood in my opinion, making it somewhat bitter midpalate. Diluted this is easier to bear, but the bitter edge never leaves completely.

The finish is long and bittersweet, even with water.

Batch 1 was 40 EUR in 2012. This sixth and final batch is 50 EUR. Still worth it, although I did prefer the first batch.

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11 comments

Wierdo commented

I've got a bottle of this stashed (batch 5) I didn't realise they're no longer doing it.

They recently released a special edition 10 year old at cask strength.

Maybe that will be the new cask strength offering from Arran?

5 years ago 3Who liked this?

@RianC
RianC commented

@Wierdo - I have that 10 CS in the stash - can't wait (well, clearly I can, but you know?!) I've also been tempted by the Arran Bothy (QC) but can't find many reviews about.

5 years ago 1Who liked this?

@markjedi1
markjedi1 commented

@RianC The Bothy is a fine dram, in my opinion.

5 years ago 2Who liked this?

@RianC
RianC commented

@markjedi1 - Thanks @markjedi1 ! I'd be happy to take that as a seal of approval coming from yourself! I've not had a bad Arran to be fair and every review of most anything they put out these days is usually positive.

5 years ago 0

Wierdo commented

Well good news and bad news. Bad news I messaged Arran on Facebook and asked them if the 12CS has been discontinued. They confirmed it has and suggested if I liked it I get the Bothy quarter cask.

Good news is they told me they're releasing a 21 year old week after next at £120. Which I suppose in this day and age is a reasonable price for a whisky over 20 years.

5 years ago 1Who liked this?

Wierdo commented

You can tell a lot about a distillery from how they respond to customers I'd say.

I've messaged Springbank and Arran and they've both got back to me within a few hours.

I've messaged Old Pulteney twice and they've ignored my messages.

5 years ago 0

RikS commented

@RianC have you tried the special sherry (I believe to recall) version arran has here for m&s?

5 years ago 0

@RianC
RianC commented

@RikS - Not tried it, no. Is it any good?

5 years ago 0

RikS commented

@RianC I have no idea. My arran experience is limited to a vertical tasting at the London whisky fair. I recall that there I liked the 14 best, having tried also the 18 and the cs. But it was a very rushed and quick sampling. I just spotted it as I was trying to pick up a mahir bay they had on sale, but alas not in stock.

5 years ago 0

@Hewie
Hewie commented

I'm keen to try more of the Arran range and the 12 CS seems well priced for what it is - I must get around to grabbing one before they're all gone.

5 years ago 0

@casualtorture
casualtorture commented

I just wrote a review of batch 5 and saw yours. I wish there was more savory to balance out the sweet but otherwise a good whisky.

5 years ago 0

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