Arran 12 Year Old / Cask Strength / Batch 6
Salted Caramel
4 1184
Review by @markjedi1
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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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?