Review #294: Arran The Bothy Batch 3

   Highland - 9 - NCA  - NCF -  $80- 53.2% 

Arran is a newish malt distilled on the isle of Arran.  The Bothy is their quarter cask release. It is aged in ex-bourbon for 7 years and then finished in quarter casks for an additional 2 year.  Quarter casks are smaller and therefor have more wood contact with the whisky which is a way to accelerate maturation.  

Color - Old Gold

Nose - Malt, stone fruit, key lime, puff pastry, fresh apple, like a deconstructed pie

Palate - Apple and oak, lemon rind - water lessens the oak

Finish - Medium Long - peppery - a bit hot for its ABV, treacle, lemon drops - water takes the heat down a bit, brings out more citrus

Overall - 7 - This is a good malt for what it is trying to be.  A young cask strength malt to show off the distillery characteristics.  The nose is great for its youth.  The palate is a bit too oaky to be really balanced, but is still enjoyable.  The finish is a bit hot, but still nice.  Water helps this dram and help with the balances.  Not complex, but nice and enjoyable. I probably will pick up a bottle sooner or later.

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Rating system is price influenced as it is based on my shopping decisions when buying a bottle.

10 Best in Show

9 Great Dram for Special Occasions

8 Worthy of consistent spot in my collection

7 Worth picking up a bottle if in the mood

6 I would buy a bottle if it went on sale
5.5 I enjoyed it but will never be priced at where I would buy a bottle

5 I would drink it happily if offered

4 I would drink it if offered on the rocks

3 Maybe some soda will make this potable

2 I'll Pass

1 Toilet cleaner

Inclusive Ratings

Overall 6.2

Standard Deviation 0.96

Skew 0.51

Kurtosis -0.28