The Arran 17 Year Old Single Malt Whisky is a distinguished and rare expression, crafted as a one-off limited edition for the year 2023. It’s a product of meticulous blending, involving an even mix of first and second fill Sherry Hogsheads and first fill Bourbon Barrels, which culminates in a complex and balanced whisky. This exclusivity is underlined by its limited production, with only 12,000 bottles available worldwide. The whisky itself is bottled at 46% Vol, ensuring a robust and full-flavored profile.
Taste-wise, the Arran 17 Year Old offers a delightful journey through various notes and sensations. The nose is greeted with the fresh and crisp scents of green apple and orchard fruits. Upon tasting, the palate experiences a symphony of flavors including almond and creamy vanilla, beautifully complemented by the richness of butterscotch and a subtle hint of toasted oak. The finish is both soft and lingering, characterized by a harmonious blend of almond, creamy vanilla, and a balancing touch of cinnamon. This careful composition of flavors and aromas speaks to the expertise and tradition upheld by the distillery.
The distillery’s history dates back to the early 1800s, when many small stills dotted the Isle of Arran. However, the economic preference for quantity over quality led to the gradual disuse of these distilleries. The original Lagg Distillery, which had been operating since the 1840s, eventually closed its doors due to various challenges, including poor management and competition from larger distilleries on the mainland.
The resurgence of whisky production on the island came with the establishment of a new distillery in Lochranza in 1994. This choice was driven by the exceptional quality of water available there. The first spirit was run through the spirit safe in 1995, marking a significant milestone in the island’s whisky-making history. In 1997, Arran’s first ever 3 year-old Single Malt was released, followed by the first official commercially available Arran Malt 10 year-old in 2006, which remains a central part of the Arran range.
Over the years, the distillery has achieved various milestones and expanded its offerings. The first peated expression of Arran, Machrie Moor, was released in 2010, opening a new chapter in the production of peated whisky. In 2018, construction began on the new Lagg Distillery, which officially opened in 2019.
