Quite apart from being a beautiful destination for a long, lazy weekend, Arran boasts an amazing distillery which has been producing tasty drams for a number of years.
In fact, there are now two working distilleries on the island (Arran in the north, and Lagg in the south) for the first time in long time. Back in the day there were many illicit stills on the island producing ‘Arran water’, which was ever popular with the locals. The quality of the water on Arran is superb, and this fact coupled with decent barley and the skill of the distillers, means that Arran whisky is well worth checking out.
James MacTaggart is the master distiller, and he carefully watches over the production of every single cask. He’s had 40 years experience in the industry, and he’s also a very decent drummer. Drumming doesn’t necessarily make him a better distiller, but it definitely makes him a cooler human being.
Arran doesn’t produce a huge amount of any one expression, so everything is limited in terms of availability. The benefit here is that the quality control is second to none. Even their ‘standard’ 10-year-old is made in small batches. When they do a very limited release (Smugglers’ Release, the Explorer Series, the James MacTaggart 10th Anniversary Edition), you have to be quick to find one.
Here are a few to tempt your tastebuds this weekend…
Arran 10 year old Single Malt (The Good Spirits Company, £37.50). Launched in 2006, this single malt really showcases the capabilities of the distillery. It is a very fruit forward release, with a lovely approachable honey note. It is the definition of a session dram.
Arran Robert Burns Single Malt (The Good Spirits Company, £33.50). As a patron of the World Robert Burns Federation, Arran is the only distillery with permission to use the image and signature of Robert Burns on their labels. In the glass, this one is akin to liquidised apple strudel with an extra sprinkling of cinnamon.
Arran 21 year old Single Malt (Inverarity One to One, £115). This recent release is the long-awaited 21-year-old from the still relatively young distillery. I’ve always been a massive fan of malts that are old enough to order themselves in a bar, and this one is no exception. You still get the characteristic Arran notes of fruit, Christmas spice and richness (backed up by a balancing neroli oil elegance), coupled with an added structure from the extra oak maturation. This is lovely dram. Slàinte!
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here