Arran Smugglers’ Edition

Hands up – I am biased towards Isle of Arran Distillers. The reasons for this are detailed in a previous blog about this wonderful distillery on the Isle of Arran. That blog can be found here.

Isle of Arran Distillers really do craft their new expressions and add considerable value through great packaging and a good “back story”.

Their latest expression; Arran Smugglers’ Edition was released yesterday (28th September 2015) and it sold out on the Isle of Arran Distillers’ website within hours. We eagerly await delivery of our allocation of some of the 8,700 Arran Smugglers’ Edition bottles produced for worldwide consumption.

Arran Smugglers' EditionThis is the first release in The Arran Smugglers’ Edition Series which is a trilogy of three limited edition Arran Malts. With the Smugglers’ Series Volume 1, “The Illicit Stills”, Isle of Arran Distillers doff their cap to revered forefathers with an island whisky of robust body and a more prevalent peat influence, akin to the whisky produced on the island in days gone by. This heavily peated Arran whisky is harmonised by the light sweetness of aged Bourbon barrels. Lurking in the background, the rich and fruity notes of Port Pipes result in a fresh, full bodied and layered dram.

The Arran Smugglers’ Edition pays homage to the rich history of illicit distillation on the Isle of Arran during the 18th and 19th centuries. It is bottled at a natural cask strength of 56.4% abv, is non chill filtered and carries no artificial colouring.

At the time of writing, we haven’t sampled this dram, but we can share here the official tasting notes with you from Isle of Arran Distillers, ahead of it appearing on our website;

Colour: Rusting iron barrel chime rings.
Nose: Subtle peat reek rising from a distant fire hints at a robust character to come.
Palate: Juicy plums, spiced with white pepper. Wood smoke of freshly sawn pine.
Finish: The flavour of dried apricots fades before salty, maritime notes take over.

If you want to put your name down and have a chance of securing a bottle of Arran Smugglers’ Edition, please contact us here. Please note; due to the exceptional demand for this dram, a request for a bottle does not necessarily mean that we will be able to supply you with a bottle.

Slainte,

Whisky Ian.