Distiller Notes
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesHoney and fresh pear mingle on nose and palate of this single-malt Scotch from the Isle of Arran. Adding water cools the singe of alcohol heat and brings out
a hint of smoke. Finishes light; sip or mix.
Today this distillery is the only one on Arran. Back in the early 1800s there were many small stills to be found across the island. Not all of them were legal, but all made superlative spirit.
Arran has always been a fine place to make good whisky, but when quantity was prized over quality this wee island couldn’t compete economically, and one by one the distilleries fell into disuse. They revived the tradition when we built the new distillery in Lochranza, at the north end of the island. When a three-year old cask was opened on 25th July 1998, their guests enjoyed the first legal dram of Arran whisky in over 160 years.
They now produce a range of ages and expressions, but all are made using the same traditional methods and materials. They always use all-Scottish barley and the washbacks - large wooden vessels used for fermentation - are crafted from Oregon pine. Distillation takes place in tall, swan-necked copper stills and their whisky matures in carefully-chosen oak casks that have previously held Sherry, Bourbon and other noble liquors. Even today, about 2% of the spirit escapes through the porous wood each year, providing the angels with their famous share.
In June 2016 they celebrated their 21st anniversary and the christening of 'Rowan House' a brand new blending and tasting building in the grounds of the Lochranza Distillery. They are now in the process of building their second distillery at Lagg, at the south end of the Isle of Arran. It is expected to open at Easter in 2019.
The area is home to the purest water in all of Scotland – water that’s been cleansed by granite and softened by peat as it slowly meanders from the mountaintops into nearby Loch na Davie. Arran enjoys a warm microclimate – the atmosphere of sea breezes and clear mountain air, together with the warm flow of the Gulf Stream is ideal for the speedy maturation of single malts. The island has a reputation for producing the highest quality whisky.
“A good gulp of hot Scotch Whisky at bedtime–it’s not very scientific, but it helps!”
Alexander Fleming, Scottish inventor of penicillin, prescribed it as a cure for the common cold. Today Single Malt Scotch Whiskies are prized by enthusiasts and aficionados the world over for their rarity, age and complexity. By definition these must be produced in Scotland from a single distillery and made entirely from malted barley, using a pot still. The appearance, aroma and flavor of a Single Malt Scotch Whisky can vary widely depending on whether it was produced in the Highlands, Lowlands Islands, Speyside, Islay or Campbelltown regions.