Scotch Whisky Review #457: The Arran Malt White Stag Fifth Release 9 Year Old

Distillery: Arran/Lochranza.

Region: Island.

Age: 9 Year. Distilled in 2009 and Bottled in 2019.

ABV: 57.1%. Cask Strength.

Cask Type: Vatting of 4 ex-Sherry Hogsheads.

Price: £150.00, purchased at auction. Original price was £120.00.

Color: 1.3, Russet/Muscat. Natural Color and Non-Chill Filtered.

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Nose: This is nice and fruity with stewed dark fruits being a major component here. Stewed plums and poached pears are what come to mind. There is something like a spiced wine as well along with mulberries and a blackcurrant liqueur.

Palate: For me, this needed watering down. After water is added, it is really fruity and quite berry forward. Blackcurrant, blueberries, blackberry, mulberry, and a hint of juniper are all present. You get some citrus as well, not fresh citrus but rather something that reminds me of the blood orange slices that were used to make sangria. It is a bit tart, a bit sweet, with a bit of spice going on. There is something that reminds me of a red wine as well to really lean into the sangria notes.

Finish: Medium to short in length. A mixture of elderflower liqueur and Korean black raspberry wine (보해/Bohae).

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Conclusion: Every year, Arran releases a bottle for their White Stag community. I’ve always been interested in getting my hands on one as they don’t ship them to my side of the pond and they do seem to be fairly well received. I have to say, Arran delivered here a delightful whisky here. It departs from the more familiar Arran tropical fruit profile and instead we get a berry bonanza with a lovely side of citrus-heavy sangria. I’m not sure I’d buy another one, especially at auction premiums, but I’m pleased to have this one as it is.

Final Score: 83.

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Scotch Whisky Review #457, Island Review #74, Whisky Network Review #614

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Scoring Legend:

• 96-100: The perfect dram, nectar of the gods.
• 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky and I will always try to keep a bottle of this in my collection if feasible.
• 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product and I’m likely wanting a bottle or two.
• 80-84: Quite good, pleasant overall though there is usually a few things that could be improved still.
• 75-79: Good, enjoyable to drink but ultimately flawed.
• 70-74: Alright, solid and wouldn’t go out of my way to get it.
• 60-69: Meh, still drinkable.
• Below 59: If you have a bottle of this, start cooking with it instead.