Arran Machrie Moor 10 Year Old

Description

Arran Machrie Moor 10 Year Old Bottling Note

The Arran Machrie Moor 10 Year Old is an exceptional single malt produced by the Lochranza Distillery on the rugged Isle of Arran, an island often referred to as “Scotland in Miniature.” While Arran is primarily known for its unpeated, fresh house style, the Machrie Moor range was introduced to explore the contrasting character of peat, laying the groundwork for the distillery’s peated identity. The whisky takes its name from a windswept, mystical peat bog on the island’s west coast, an ancient landscape dotted with Bronze Age stone circles and steeped in local lore, which this dram elegantly captures.

This ten-year-old expression is fully matured for its entire duration in First Fill Bourbon Barrels, which provides a foundation of vanilla sweetness and oak structure. The barley used is malted to a phenol level of approximately 20 PPM (parts per million), a moderate measurement designed to introduce a smoky element without overpowering the inherently bright, fruity Arran spirit. It is bottled at 46% ABV, non-chill filtered, and retains its natural colour, ensuring full flavour integrity.

The resulting whisky offers a beautiful synthesis of the distillery’s style and the smoke of the moor. It carries the signature freshness of the Arran malt, characterized by bright orchard fruits and vibrant citrus, which is then warmly overlaid with a layer of gentle wood smoke and sweet spice. The decade of maturation ensures complexity and a pleasing integration, creating a single malt that is balanced, warming, and distinctly full-bodied. It is a perfect choice for those seeking an approachable yet characterful peated dram.

Arran Machrie Moor 10 Year Old Tasting Note

Nose: The Nose opens with a distinct, dry maritime smoke that is notably clean and refined. This gentle peat smoke is quickly complemented by the classic Arran freshness, featuring bright notes of lemon zest, green apple, and a soft undertone of honeyed vanilla from the bourbon casks.

Palate: On the Palate, the texture is oily and satisfyingly robust. A creamy sweetness arrives initially, reminiscent of toasted brioche and barley sugar. This is followed by the core peat, which presents as mild ash and light wood char, balanced by hints of tropical fruit and a delicate layer of cinnamon spice.

Finish: The Finish is medium to long, characterized by a persistent, dry coastal minerality. The subtle smoke fades gracefully, leaving behind a clean warmth and lingering sweet notes of lemon curd and vanilla oak.

Overall: Overall, this expression is a well-executed and accessible peated single malt. The ten years of maturation in first-fill bourbon has perfectly integrated the 20 PPM smoke, resulting in a balanced, flavorful, and clean island whisky profile.