We continue reviewing the latest batch of The whisky Exchange exclusive single casks, with this Arran 2000, which was aged for 14 years in ex-bourbon and bottled at a cask strength of 55.5% ABV. Priced at about 70 quid, it offers a good value IMHO, and is a very good example of classic ex-bourbon maturation, with a nice balance of fruit, cereal, and spice. Let’s go:
ARRAN 2000 Private Cask #1106 TWE Exclusive , 55,5% abv, £70.95
Nose: Very nice ex- bourbon cask notes; sandalwood, vanilla and coconut and icing sugar. Lots of wood , but quite light at that, if you get what i mean (young wood) . Some exotic fruit such as dried pineapple and green banana as well as cereal, and maltier notes.
Palate: Spicy wood with peach in the backdrop. Some bitter sweet red grapefruit, cereal and vanilla as well as fresh cut wood shavings. Quite spicy with freshly ground peppercorns , creamy vanilla.
Finish: dry and spicy with the chilly and pepper , bitter wood and toasted cereals.
All in all a very enjoyable Arran. I find Arran start to shine at the 14 year old mark (some do not agree, but that’s my personal view- yes Sjoerd…), and this 14 year old is a really nice dram, you should be looking into getting if you’re an Arran fan. 70 quid is not that bad for a single cask , is it?
Score: 87/100
Available for £70.95 at The Whisky Exchange.
Official sample provided by TWE
What the hell have I done now?
I love Arran, and the age doesn’t even matter that much. I’ve had great ones at less than ten years old, although the bourbon casks generally need 12 to 14 years.
This just isn’t the best one of the bunch, and with the Dutch importer bottling one every few months, we’ve got easy pickings here.