Review #: 188
Description: Arran Very, Very, Very Well Matured Sherry Cask 2011
Spirit: Scotch
Background: A private cask from Arran, this bottle was labelled as being “Very, Very, Very Well Matured” despite being distilled on December 12th, 2011 and bottled on July 8th, 2019 for an age of only 7 years. It spent that time in a sherry hogshead and bottled at cask strength.
Distillery – Arran
Bottler – Arran
Brand – Arran
Selection – N/A
ABV – 59.2%
Age – 7 Years
Nose – Very malty, toasted bread, strawberry, raisin
Taste – Rich syrup, cherry, cocoa, I even get a little bit of peanut butter
Finish – Burnt sourdough toast, sour milk, very malty again, burnt peanut brittle, a bit sour and bitter
Score: 5
Would I buy a bottle? No
Thoughts: The nose and taste here were plenty enjoyable. I do enjoy the heavy malty flavor that Arran distillate brings to the table. But with the finish, it was just a bit much and the sour, bitterness dominated. I wouldn’t really consider 7 years to be “very, very, very well matured” and think that this could have used a few extra years in the cask to help balance the finish out.