Arran Amarone Cask Finish Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Featured in The 1001 Whiskies you must try before you die book

"The nose is fragrant, with obvious red wine influence, plus cinnamon,pepper, plums and raspberries. Behind the big wine "front" this is relatively straightforward whisky on the palate, with grape pulp. oak, fudge and spice. Thew finish is medium in length with cloves."

Cask finishing dates back to the 1980s when Balvenie and then Glenmorangie started experimenting with sherry and wine cask ageing. Arran have taken the idea to another level by using some more unusual wines, here the full bodied Italian red wine of Verona is used after @ 8 years in ex bourbon casks and then a finish in the Amarone casks for 6-9 months. This has a lovely pinkish hue and has delicate notes of plum, cherry, raspberry and a touch of pepper and clove spice.