Arran 10 Year Old

Nose: Rich, sweet, succulent grape. The most clear, intense grape aroma I've ever experienced in a whisky. Close on its heels, a huge wave of black licorice. Marvelous.

Taste: Sweet, sappy, with thick licorice-flavoured malt. Very fruity again, with grape and cherry, but more bitter oak to balance. Also a slight salty note. Tastes a little "green," as others have noticed, but that's okay because this is one lively, vibrant malt.

Finish: Good length. Clean, and consistent with the flavour.

Balance: This is how I like a whisky to smell. Maybe a few more years will round out the flavour better, integrating the bitter, sweet, and salty notes. As it stands, it is a bit of a wild ride on the palate.

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