1 Hogshead Of Arran 1997 - Cask 18 - Held In Bond

One cask of Arran Single Malt Scotch Whisky, originally purchased direct from Arran by the current owners. Distilled 1997. Originally filled into a Hogshead. Image is for illustration only.

This cask was regauged on 30/10/2017. The regauged litres were found to be approximately 130. Bulk litres at a strength of 42.7%. This would currently yield approximately 185 x 70cl bottles of whisky currently at 20 years old.

• Distillery: Arran
• Distilled: 1997
• Age: 20 years old
• Cask No: 18
• Cask Type: Hogshead
• Original Filled on 24/01/1997 With: 148.5 Litres of Alcohol
• Re-gauged: 30/10/2017 - 130 Bulk litres
• Cask Strength: 42.7% ABV
• Currently yield 185 bottles

This cask is held in bond at Bladnoch distillery in Scotland. Annual storage must be arranged direct with the Warehouse after the sale. Contact details will be given by the current cask owner.

Ownership of this cask is auctioned here in bond. The buyer will have ownership transferred to them once payment is processed post sale. Any costs relating to removal from bond / bottling will be the responsibility of the new cask owner.

Once payment for this lot is received from the buyer, the money will be held by Whisky Online Ltd and only transferred to the seller once the buyer is in full legal receipt of the cask to ensure buyer's transaction is fully protected, (payment is strictly by money transfer).  

Non UK based owners/buyers must appoint a Duty Representative to act on his/her behalf for transfer of ownership. Customs & Excise refer to the owners as the representative’s.

Please be aware of this regulation before bidding.

Whisky Online Auctions Tasting Notes:

Colour: Bronze.

Nose: The naturally low cask strength works well here. There's lots of soft dunnage notes, wet earth, leaf mulch, moss, bracken and some earl grey tea as well. All in all rather leafy and fresh with a few notes of dried wild mushrooms, wild strawberries and a few crushed walnuts. Maybe a touch of lamp oil or camphor with time.

Palate: Very chocolatey at first. Bitter dark chocolate, some smooth tannins that give a nice sense of composure and structure in the mouth. Also quite a few figs and berry fruits such as dark cherries, brambles and blackcurrants. Some herbal notes such as bay leaf and dried oregano, then cinnamon bark and a touch of quince paste. The overall feeling is one of immense softness and drinkability. However, the alcohol is still present and gives just the right amount of bite to keep everything nicely together. 

Finish: Good length considering the naturally low cask strength. Again this leafy and forest floor aspect sings loudest. More notes of tea - green and mint varieties this time - then a light oiliness and maybe a little more bitter chocolate. Some patisserie notes of pastry and freshly baked bread as well. 

Comments: This is a solid, very drinkable Arran which shows the delights of whiskies which reach naturally low cask strengths at  often surprising speeds. Obviously the buyer of this cask should seek to have it bottled within a year as this is really at its peak and any prolonged ageing could run the risk of dipping below 40%. However, as things stand, this is a very easy and delicious Arran.