New Arran 10 - anyone tried it?

I have not, but I’m a bit worried if there are more sherry casks in the mix. I quite liked the old 10 year expression. Too many sherry casks in a vatting often buries the distillate character, imho.

Arran didn’t do a great job with the PR surrounding the retirement of the 14 Year Old expression and the move toward eleventy billion more NAS expressions (or NFG expressions, as @paddockjudge might say ). More than a few of their social media people were hurling ad hominem at some well-known and well-respected whisky writers for simply asking some questions.

@OdysseusUnbound - Yeah the whole revamping of the range seemed like a regressive step for the distillery, for me, but what do I know, eh? And until I saw the favourable reviews I wasn't too bothered about it to be honest.

I know what you mean about the extra sherry but two respected vloggers and Whiskybase seemed to think it was an improvement on the 'old' 10. It still goes for under £35 here and I'm not confident that price will remain for long ...

@RianC It may be too late for us Canadians (well, Ontarians anyway). The LCBO had Arran 10 listed at $52-$55, but it’s gone now. I’m willing to bet that when it comes back, it will be priced at $70 or more. Nonsense like this (and Benromach 10 jumping from $59 to $80 in a matter of weeks) is why I’m exploring rum and tequila (perhaps mezcal soon?) more and more. Scotch is becoming too ridiculous. I’ll keep my favourites stocked up, but how much more enjoyment does a $100 Scotch (say Talisker 10) give me compared to a $40 bottle of Wild Turkey 101? Not as much as some people might think.

@OdysseusUnbound - WT all day at those prices

@OdysseusUnbound I think there is an increasingly annoyed, and growing cohort of whisky drinkers starting to think exactly along the same lines as you.

@OdysseusUnbound I known you love your 101, but when the rare breed is only a few dollars more and is CS....

@Nozinan “a few dollars more”? 101 is $40 and RB is $65. I enjoy Rare Breed, but 101 has its place too. It’s a bit less dominant in cocktails and its lower strength means I can last later into the evening while sipping it.

That's interesting about the Arran 10. I haven't had any since I finished a bottle a year or so ago. I enjoyed it for what it was then but wasn't in a hurry to get another. Lots of people are searching for decent budget bottles - which I completely understand. I however tend to favour the 'only a few dollars more' stategy. If I'm going to spend $75 on an ok bottle of XXX why would I when I can get the better bottle of YYY for $90. But then if I'm willing to spend that then why not $120 for this awesome bottle..... and on it goes. I don't buy a lot of bottles so I try to make them count. I don't drink a lot so I'd rather drink a bit better. So lately I've tended to buy above the entry level in the range when I buy. Having said that, I'll always have a bottle of Springbank 10 open

@OdysseusUnbound Sorry, I was thinking Zyn prices. $36 vs $46. And we all have different uses for our whiskies. I don't drink a lot (my intake is about half what it was in 2019 to date) so I want to make every dram count. and since I don't do cocktails, and I'm not a supertaster, I need strong and bold most of the time.

It's funny I was musing on this same subject a couple of days ago. I quite like the slightly spirity side of the Arran 10 and felt the touch of refill sherry used added just a bit of body and creaminess, more sherry might not be bad if they keep it in balance.That said many folks weren't that excited about this bottle a couple of years ago, I suppose much like Laphroaig the shrinking of the bottom end of the range causes people to re-consider.

I don't mind the change of livery myself, I think it looks good without being too posh, the gap in age stated whisky between 10-18 is one that no NAS can fill for me, it's an odd choice. I feel you guys the availability of quality malt at the lower end of the range is being squeezed out, especially with single malt. @OdysseusUnbound don't mean to be pessimistic but that price bump for 101 is coming sooner or later, the upcoming change of label and bottle will surely be the first step.

You'll pull your hair out with agave spirits as well, the spirits industry is full of shenanigans.

@cricklewood Oh, I’m aware that shenanigans are not limited to whisky or even agave spirits. The rum world seems to be full of shady practices, with misleading age statements, added sugar and colouring being the norm...

Rum’s a minefield for me. I have wasted a lot of money on iffy rums. I’m not a big rum drinker, but I like to keep a couple of good bottles around for my rummy friends. The last one I had was Ron Zacata, a pretty decent rum at 40%. I’d appreciate any suggestions for good, available sipping rums.

@BlueNote my usual rum suggestions: Lemon Hart 151 and Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaican Pot Still Rum (Navy Strength). Both quite high test.

Try some rhum agricole too: either Clement or Depaz. I prefer the Clement VSOP to the Clement 10 yo. Rhum agricole is made from sugar cane juice rather than from molasses. It has a clean and light effect, while still retaining some very flavourful elements.

@Victor I would add Plantation OFTD - I recently tried a sample of this overproof rum from @cricklewood. I get really great banana notes. Might be great for Flambés as well.

@BlueNote While it’s probably “dosed” and undoubtedly coloured, Havana Club Anejo 7 Year Old was inexpensive and actually really nice in cocktails and quite pleasant neat. Not super complex, but not totally one-dimensional either.

@Nozinan @OdysseusUnbound @Victor Thanks for the suggestions guys. I’ll see what’s available here. I have had the Havana Club and liked it. Makes a good Cuba Libre as I recall.

@BlueNote - I've got limited rum experience but would concur with Smith and Cross as a great choice and also throw Pussers Gunpowder Proof into the mix.

I’m having some Apothic Inferno!

It’s a blend of California red wine aged for 60 days in Whiskey barrels. After a quick search I haven’t been able to find any information on the whiskey (the official website spells it ‘whiskey’ so...) barrels.

I’ve been drinking a lot of wine recently. I don’t really know why because I almost never drink wine....

Anyway, I’m loving this stuff!

On the nose, smoke, floral notes (similar to those I often pick up in Bowmore whiskies) and cranberry.

On the palate, maple, boysenberry, red cherry and black tea.

Highly recommended!

Haha! Just realized I posted this on the wrong thread....

@BlueNote Flor de Caña also makes a good Cuba Libre, or would that be a Nicaragua Libre?

@Nozinan I know that one is available locally. I’ll pick one up.

I have not tried any of the newly marketed Arran products. I might not, other than the 18 now that the 14 is gone. My love for them has greatly dwindled recently. They've lost focus it seems. I need a new favorite distillery.