Arran Robert Burns Single Malt

According to their website, Arran is the only whisky company authorized by the World Burns Federation to produce a whisky with the Ploughman Poet's name on it. Arran have the authorisation to use Burns's likeness and siganture in recognition of being the closest Distillery to Burns's birthplace of Alloway in Ayrshire. Burns indeed would have seen Arran most days from his home village. It's not the most far-fetched marketing schtick I've ever heard, but maybe I just have a soft spot for Arran. This malt is very well priced in Ontario, running about $52/bottle at the time of this writing (October, 2020). That's less money than Glenlivet 12, Glenfiddich 12, Aberfeldy 12, and others of that ilk. Let's see what's going on here:

Tasted neat from a Glencairn glass

• Nose: vanilla, apples, floral, a bit of honey, maybe some oak spice, a faint solvent/spirit aroma
• Palate: apples, honey, vanilla, graham crackers, oak, a hint of almonds
• Finish: short, slightly drying, honey, vanilla, apples, cinnamon, lemon zest

When I reviewed the Arran 10 Year, I found it quite "Irish" in character and I'm also finding that here. I hope that's not an insult to the memory of Rabbie Burns. I quite like this whisky, and I like its price point even more. This is an honest whisky at a fair price. It's a fine social dram, and it's a great introduction to unpeated malt whisky for anyone new to single malt scotch. Recommended.

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