Claxton’s Arran 21 yo 1996.

Arran distillery which is located on the Isle of Arran is a relatively new Distillery having only been established back in 1994 with the first spirit running in 1995..

Although a young distillery the whisky that is being produced is certainly gaining a lot of plaudits, good quality whisky is not always guaranteed but this distillery  certainly seems to be doing it right.

The independent bottlers seem to be loving the spirit too with several of them releasing single casks with praises flowing just as fast as the spirit itself. So it is no surprise that today’s review is another single cask offering from an independent bottler in the form of Claxtons, the company has already released one cask from Arran which was also produced in 1996 so it will be interesting to see how this one compares..

Distilled in August 1996 this single sherry puncheon #1843-939 has an outturn of 609 bottles, is natural coloured and has  an abv of 52.1 %..

Nose..  Initially the sherry notes seem a little subdued but then they just seem to spring into life with dates, raisins and chocolate notes becoming more and more dominant. Cinnamon buns and ginger root mix with apple peels, pineapple and a soft plum note with soft tobacco and liquorice aromas rising..

Palate.. Spices lead into that fruity backbone of a typical Arran whisky, add chocolate, coffee and some honey and you are not far off this palate..

Finish.. Oaky with spices..

Thoughts.. The best way to describe this Claxtons Arran 21yo is Subtle and warming..  It’s no sherry bomb but that said it is extremely enjoyable, with a nose that gives you a nod and a wink which just draws you in and a palate that satisfies without over exciting or underwhelming you..

That said the longer that you can leave this the better it gets, it’s almost a whisky of two halves.. The nose keeps developing and a lovely sweetness develops and allows the nose to really shine, the palate does soften up a little and becomes a lot more approachable..

With thanks to Claxtons for this sample..

Claxtons Arran 21yo, 1996.