Arran 14yo
Official Bottling (discontinued) | 46% ABV
‘Bring it back. Sing it back. Bring it back, sing it back to me..’
It’s not the first time I’ve used my privilege of being a Dramface contributor to do a little confessing. By upbringing, I’m unfamiliar with this Catholic tradition, I must say I’m starting to see the appeal, as there’s definitely a certain relief and release of burden that comes with it.
So here it goes, and please leave the pitchforks and torches under the counter for the time being, but for a long time I wasn’t really bothered about Arran. When I first crossed paths with the distillery around 2014 it was with their 10 year old expression. I was just coming down from a decade-long peat high, and only just starting to explore what else was out there apart from the likes of Ardbeg and Laphroaig.
The whiskies responsible for me going astray from all things Islay were Benromach and Compass Box Spice Tree, and when I stumbled upon a bottle of Arran 10 in a local wine shop, it came home with me as I was eager to learn and explore more. I remember being particularly interested in the fact this was a new distillery, as at that time Arran was still very much in its teens. I also remember being unbothered about it at the end of the day. I found it unbalanced, too delicate and spirit-driven to really float my boat.
Shortly after I was gifted another bottle of their Sauternes cask finish and I thought it might be a good opportunity for them to prove me wrong. On paper it ticked a lot of the right boxes: natural colour, non chill-filtered and bottled at 50% ABV. But again, it left me wanting. The combination of sweet notes was a bit too much to my liking.
Obviously, there was nothing wrong with these whiskies, it was likely more to do with me and my inexperienced palate. A lighter, fruitier, more delicate whisky like Arran on the back of a lot of heavy-hitting Islay malts and a new-found love for the rich and extravagant Spice Tree; in hindsight it reads like a case of trying the wrong whisky at the wrong time.
Eventually around 2020, I came round by trying their 18 year old in its older bottle design, which was available for around £70. Now well and fully imbedded in whisky geekery, I was also desperate to try their 14 year old. This had rapidly acquired something of a cult status, its praise sung by the likes of Aqvavitae and Ralfy, but was discontinued in 2018. Now seeing the error of my ways, I was keen to make amends. However, at that point it seemed I wasn’t just going to be late to this party, but would miss it altogether. And, despite long and stubborn rumours Lochranza has plans of re-releasing it, news of it reemerging has yet to be confirmed.
Fast forward to spring this year, and I’m fortunate to have six good stores in a 30 mile radius from where I live. I’m a strong advocate of shopping at brick and mortar stores because building a relationship with the proprietors comes with benefits compared to online shopping. Online can be cheaper, but being on a first name basis with your local store has its perks too.
They happily set me aside a bottle I have my eye on, for starters. Some will provide free samples from their open bottles - a generous gesture I’m always very happy to return as most of them are genuine whisky enthusiasts. More often than not they’ll point out something which might tickle my fancy or they’ll have some interesting news, knowledge and information to share about what’s new in the whisky world. Granted, this is quite an easy stance when good stores come in no short supply. So when browsing through the catalogue of one of these stores, I stumbled upon an image of Arran 14 at around the original RRP.
I rang the store and asked them to put it aside for me as I’d happily take the long way home from work that day to pick it up. And that’s how I finally got my hands on the Arran 14.
Earie’s Review
Arran 14yo, 10.10.2014 bottle code, 46% ABV
£150 on secondary (typical), £57 paid.
Nose
Thick, dense fruit syrup with lots of orchard and tropical fruit. Apples, mangos and sweet mandarins – almost like a fruit bowl. More sweetness from granulated sugar and candy floss and I also get something nutty, with almonds and marzipan. Cereals, cookies and butterscotch and salted crackers, which brings me to a gentle salinity which is lovely. It closes out with an ever so soft lactic note.
Palate
Slightly effervescent arrival, grainy and cereal. More salinity now, meaning the fruit basket is a bit more subdued. A medium-dry, woody mouthfeel. Adding a drop of water and it was more viscous in the mouth. Salted apples, hints of toffee. Into the finish it lingers on with a gentle wood note, which becomes clinging and drying.
The Dregs
Particularly on the nose there’s so much happening. Every time I sniff something new pops up. And while there’s a lot going on, it’s also very easy going and laid back.
The palate is ever so slightly less impressive, but that takes little away from it, as this is a cracking whisky. We often talk about balance between cask and spirit and here I feel they got exactly right. Before you start looking for a bottle on secondary market, I’ve heard rumours the 14 may be back later this year.
It’s a pity we don’t work with decimal scores as I’m leaning towards more than a 7/10 but am also holding back a bit on a 8, afraid I might be overly excited about finally being able to have a bottle to cherish. In any case, and regardless of the final score, I’m very much enjoying my time with this.
Score: 7/10 EA
Hamish’s Review
Arran 14yo, 17.04.18 bottle code, 46% ABV
£50 paid (2018)
Thanks to the Aqvavitae Recycle Review number six, I ordered a few bottles as a direct result of watching that video. Arran 14yo being one of them. My wallet took a big hit that day. I can't recall what I paid, but something tells me it was around £50.
Nose
Immediately I'm getting sliced green apple, honey and lemon sherbet. It has custard cream biscuits and sponge cake with vanilla cream icing. Turning fruity, juicy honeydew melon and cold, crunchy white grapes. It's bright, it's very fruity with a lot of citrus and floral elements.
That foundational Arran (Lochranza) nose is there, that's delightful with fresh cut wood and flower petals.
Palate
Slight prickly on the tongue. It turns a little sour for me, with the remaining taste on the side of the tongue. Medium enough finish on this, with a nice fresh mouthfeel after sipping. Quite a chewy whisky. Some of the wooden elements from the nose come forward. Thrown in there are cubed pineapples, pear drop confectionery and mushed gooseberries.
It tastes as if this Arran 14yo is more spirit-driven rather than relying on cask influence, which to me the newer Arran releases tend to lean toward. It tastes younger than a typical 14 year old malt. Compared to the nose, none of the honey and vanilla notes come on to the palate. Tastes a bit like a banana skin and cranberry juice.
The Dregs
The flavours remind me of the quintessential scotch notes that I got from the likes of Glenmorangie and Glenfiddich. Some malt and maybe a small hint of leather. The experience and taste of the newer Arran liquid has a lot of similarities to this older 14 year old. But, this style of Arran doesn't agree too well with me.
It's not offensive, but doesn't offer much of an experience. It's nice. The nose was lovely however the taste fell flat. There's no hook, no enticing note when sipping that makes this something I'd even recommend. A quiet pour, and easy sipper really. I much prefer the new Arran 10. I'd be interested if this 14 comes back, and of course I'll nab a bottle if I can to compare/contrast.
Score: 5/10 HF
Tried this? Share your thoughts in the comments below. EA
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