Arran Machrie Moor Cask Strength 2016

I’ve very much enjoyed most of what I’ve had from distilleries on islands or peninsulas, but really have a preference for peat. I don’t necessarily dislike unpeated malts, but it really helps when it’s there. With Arran being unpeated it was low on my list to try, but then I came across this and figured it would be a great example of what the distillery makes when it aligns with what I like.

Arran Machrie Moor Cask Strength 2016, Island (Arran) Single Malt, 58.5% ABV

Minutia: A peated release from Arran. Enjoyed neat in a glencairn.

Color: Jonquil, ripe corn, .4.

Nose: Peat, some fruit, petrichor.

Taste: Woody smoke, heat, same indeterminate fruit from the nose.

Finish: Same woody smoke, salty, a bit creamy, medium-long.

This was really nice. I’ve never had anything from Arran, so I had no true expectations, but I figured I’d like it and it wouldn’t leave much of an impression. It ended up reminding me of a peated Irish I really enjoyed (incidentally getting the same score). The price of this that I’ve seen online is crazy low for anything cask strength, let alone something good (assuming some consistency from batch to batch). After this I’m really looking forward to Lagg.

Score: 87

SMWS Name: A storm-doused fire