Arran 25 years
- Victor Ramos
- Aug 1
- 3 min read
Country: Scotland
Region: Highlands (Isle of Arran)
Producer: Isle of Arran Distillers Ltd
Category: Single Malt
Age: 25 years
Barrel Type: Ex-Bourbon y Jerez Oloroso
Alcohol Content: 46% (92 proof)
Size: 700ml
Level: Intermediate
The distillery's story begins in 1995 on the island of the same name, separated from the Lowlands by the 13 miles of the Firth of Clyde or 4.7 miles from the Kintyre Peninsula (Campbeltown's whisky region). A fertile place with a long tradition of whisky making and home distillation dating back to the 18th century.
Evidence suggests that during the whisky ban, the island was significant for smugglers and bootleggers because of its link to Glasgow. In fact, molasses was distilled on the island, though that's a different story. When the law was amended, a legal distillery operated at Lagg from 1825 until it closed in 1837.
Following this period, the island had no active distilleries for more than 150 years. In 1994, Harold Currie, the former CEO of Chivas Brothers, along with a new group of investors, selected a site in Lochranza, located in the island's north, to construct a new distillery. The Arran Distillery was founded in 1995. The choice to establish the distillery in an area previously unfamiliar with whisky production was likely influenced by two factors: an ample water supply from rainwater collected in Loch na Davie and the potential for tourism. Currently, the distillery attracts over 60,000 visitors annually.
The Arran 25 Year Old was introduced in 2020 to mark the distillery's 25th anniversary. That year saw the official release of the first edition and initial batch of this expression, which included 3,000 bottles. It was issued as a limited edition annually for five years until 2025, when the distillery chose to permanently discontinue the Arran 25 Year Old from its main lineup.
The sudden halt in production just five years after its debut, along with the limited yearly release of each bottle, has turned Arran 25 Year Old into a coveted item for both distillery aficionados and premium spirits collectors. It's unsurprising that this exceptional whisky, with its delightful and expertly crafted profile, has become emblematic of an era and a philosophy that has evolved alongside the renewal of its product lineup.
According to HTFW website: “The distillery's established 18 and 25 Year Old core expressions were retired as the range was refreshed, allowing the new 30 Year Old to assume the position of its oldest regular age statement.”
Tasting Notes
Nose: Liquorice, cinnamon, malt, butter (the aroma remains me of what’s left in the pan after making pancakes), leather, raisins, baked fruit.
Palate: Well rounded with a waxy mouthfeel. Mandarin peel, sweet, creamy, clove, and pepper.
Aftertaste: Medium, sweet, slightly astringent or spicy.
With a few drops of water, it opens up and reveal delightful citrus notes, but it loses consistency on the palate, resulting in a watery sensation and consequently, the aftertaste turns somewhat spicier.
My Rating:
I clasify whisky into 4 categories: Introdutory, Casual, Intermediate and Complex. and from there I rate each one acording to their aroma, palate, complexity and palatability
Level: Intermediate
Aroma: 4/5
Palate: 5/5
Complexity: 3/5
Palatability: 3/5
Overall Rating: 7.5/10
Official website: https://www.arranwhisky.com/
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