[WHISKY TASTING] Arran - The Bothy - Quarter Cask, Batch 2 🥃
During the 18th and 19th century, whisky was often transported by horse or donkey. The whisky was filled on smaller barrels, called quarter casks. But as the whisky industry grew and communication was modernized, the smaller ones were replaced by larger, more cost-effective barrels which are the norm today. However, smaller size casks give about 30% more contact with the essential and influential oak as compared to many of the larger casks, and thus a faster and more intense maturation process.
In 2015, Arran released the first batch of "The Bothy" as a tribute to this procedure. The Bothy was first aged on first-fill bourbon barrels and then finished on the smaller American Oak quarter casks for about 18 months. It's neither chill filtered, nor artificially colored and bottled at 55.2% ABV.
Arran - The Bothy - Quarter Cask, Batch 2
ABV: 55,2 %
Age: NAS (No Age Statement)
Distillery: Arran
Region: Isle of Arran
Cask type: First fill Bourbon & American Oak Quarter Casks
No. of bottles: 12000
Price: ~55 USD / 0.7L
Natural Colour & Un-chillfiltered
Appearance: Gold.
Nose: An alert and fresh scent of vanilla, caramel, freshly cut grass and a whole flower bouquet. The oak is clearly present, but gives a very fresh and youthful impression, rather than musty and old. The whole atmosphere of this whiskey is screaming freshness, without any edgy youthness. Sweet green apples, pears and apricot together with honey and fresh lemon notes. Incredibly inviting and summery nose.
Palate: Again I'm struck by how fresh and alive it is. Green apples and pears. Delicious citrus notes with elements of vanilla and honey. I'm pleasantly surprised by how perfectly balanced the oak is; it just adds a nice kick of chili heat to the sweet fruit. Not an overly dry mouth-feel either. The wood notes I get are more like sandalwood. Exotic fruit such as pineapple emerge after a while of aeration. A few drops of water is also recommended: apples and pears come forth even more and the oak really makes itself known. There are some light herbal notes towards the end.
Finish: Medium-long with oaky spiciness and vanilla.
Conclusion: The bright fruitiness in combination with the exotic edge and the tickling spiciness is truly wonderful. I was afraid this would be an "oak monster" with little balance, but it turned out to be a fresh, bright and spirited whisky full of character. I might not be a huge fan of the whole NAS trend; I simply don't get it why they just can't tell us how many years it has been matured, but when the result is as great as this I can't complain. A wonderful piece of work from this little artisanal distillery and a well deserved 90 points out of 100 from me. As it's a limited edition of only 12000 bottles, get it while you can!
Mmmm.. .fine art of whiskey. I talked with some of my friends to get some money together and buy some decent bottles. Hope we do it. Keep it up!
It's a great idea to get together and buy a bottle you wouldn't afford on your own! Unfortunately I don't know many whisky enthusiasts. One day I hope to afford a Brora: https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/search?q=brora
Get some people together and I'll support you for Steemvoter Guild vote ;) Maybe it would pay for half a bottle ;)
Very fine review :-)
Thank you :)