ARRAN 1996 vintage collection

Distilled in 1996 just a year after the distillery was opened on the Isle of Arran, this Vintage Collection is a blend of whiskies matured for eight years, 40% in bourbon casks and 60% in sherry casks. Bottled in 2005, only 6,000 bottles were produced. The nose is typical of the Arran style, revealing floral and fruity notes, followed by a gentle palate that combines fruit and spices, drawn out in the long finish. A rare expression from one of Scotland’s last independent distilleries whose elegance and finesse will delight even the most discerning of tasters. On 11 November 1991, Isle of Arran joined the very small circle of independent Scottish distilleries. Founded at the initiative of Harold Currie, former director of Chivas and House of Campbell, the distillery began producing whisky at the end of June 1995, drawing to a close a 150-year absence of whisky production on the island. In late 1998, the distillery released the first edition of its malt in a limited edition (1,000 bottles worldwide), the cask strength Arran 1995 (60.3%). In 1999, the classic version at 43% ABV, was released in a limited number of markets. It would not be until 2002 that the first single casks were released, from vintages 1995 and 1997, revealing the distillery owners' bold and determined character and willingness to experiment with all types of maturation, from port to calvados, cognac and rum. In 2019, Isle of Arran celebrated its double figures with the release of an Arran 18 Year Old and and an Arran 21 Year Old.