Arran James MacTaggart 10th Annv Ed

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This is a limited edition 10 year old Arran bottling released to celebrate James MacTaggart's 10 years of service at the distillery. Distilled in 2007 and bottled at 54.2%. It is a fitting tribute to one of our whisky heros! 

Andrew's Tasting Note

Nose: rose petals, bright orange, loads of vanilla, honey and creamy oak; baked apple and poached pear; chewy-grassy malt and a whiff of the sea.

Palate: soft, chewy and malty; very honeyed and toasty, warm almond paste filled croissants with a side of sliced citrus fruits; fresh floral barley notes and decadent spice with a touch of brine; wine gums and quince paste.

Finish: light, coating and sweet; this is all about the interplay between chewy malt and sweet toasted oak; elegant and fruity to the end.

Comment: for a 10 year old whisky this is a standout; lots of layers and complexity; well balanced; this is a tribute to how far Arran has come, and the impact James has had on this thriving distillery over 10 year tenure.

Andrew's Reflections on James MacTaggart: I still remember the first time I met James MacTaggart, before he took on the post of distillery manager at Arran. It was in 2006 or Islay, where he was the Assistant Distillery Manager of Bowmore. It was my first ever trip to Scotland let alone Islay. I was struck by how warm and welcoming everyone was. As James showed me around Bowmore for the first time I was struck not just by his warm and welcoming Ileach (someone from Islay) nature, but also by the enthusiasm and excitement he had for his craft. I was thrilled to hear in 2007 that he had taken on the mantle of distillery manager at Arran, a post in which he has excelled as the distillery has built on success after success. 10 years on he still has that glint in his eyes and passion for his craft. He is, in my opinion, one of the most underappreciated figures in the Scotch whisky industry.

From the Distiller: “In 2017, Master Distiller James MacTaggart celebrates his 10th anniversary at the Isle of Arran Distillery. This fresh and vibrant expression of The Arran Malt has been carefully created by James to mark his 10th anniversary at our Lochranza Distillery. A selection of first fill 10 year-old Bourbon Barrels from James’s first months of production with us in 2007 form the much loved citrus fruit and sweet spice character of this dram. A memorable and classic expression of The Arran Malt.”

Distiller’s Tasting Note

Nose: freshly made cider, coconut water/fresh shavings, lemon oil and a hint of sea brine.

Palate: the warmth of white pepper is immediate and then softens as boiled sweets start to show. Apple pastries, barley sugar and a complex winey note are in the mid-palate.

Finish: the finish is long and has all the freshness of a well-made whisky-sour cocktail which sweetens to candy floss as it fades slowly. A delightful expression of Arran where the true character and complexity shines through beautifully.

700 ml