I’ve been enjoying the drams from the Arran distillery for some time now, they are really making great whisky, aren’t they? Last night they held a twitter tasting featuring four drams (and one new make), one of which was this Expression , the third in the trilogy of Devil’s Punchbowl whiskies.
The Devil’s Punchbowl Series is a trilogy which started in summer 2012 and will conclude in 2014 with this third, and final release. It is a blend of some of the finest Arran casks from over the years, personally selected by our Distillery Manager James MacTaggart. Unlike Chapters I, and II which had a peaty component to them, this one is a vatting of some unpeated casks. However, what’s also different in this chapter is the use of whisky aged in French ex-wine barriques…
Interesting? indeed.
Arran Devil’s punchbowl Chapter III , 53,4% abv , £72.99., Available end of July
Nose: This one is not peated, for the first time and it shows. the nose is dry, but fruity with peaches and apricots and some wine-y influence, probably the work of the wine barriques. earthy and dark feel to it too, with a hint of desert wine. complex, yet very different than previous chapters…
Palate: The sherry goodness shines here, dried fruit (mainly apricot) , some grape, pepper, lots of sugars and sumptuous fruit going on, with a nice chocolate and nutty touch, oranges dipped in chocolate, a certain sweet yet waxy note too, honeyed even.
Finish: Rich, sweet, spicy. BIG
This is a lovely dram, yet quite different than the first chapter I’ve tried (sadly I could not get hold of Chapter #2). Big, Bold, and sweet, with quite some oomph. I have a feeling this is going to sell out very fast.