This May is all about the BOMB! The first of our two sherry bombs comes from the Isle of Arran – and named the same – the Arran Sherry Cask The Bodega.
The brand new, Cask Strength, Arran Sherry Cask ‘The Bodega’. This cracker of a whisky is matured in finest casks available to the whisky industry – first fill sherry hogsheads sourced from the finest Bodegas in Spain. No artificial colouring, non-chill filtered and bottled at soul rocking Cask Strength of 55.8% ABV – this is a big, luscious sherry bomb in anyone’s language!
Every drop of Arran Single Malt starts its life as rainwater which pools at Loch na Davie in the beautiful hill high above the Distillery. The clear water cascades down the hillside, through six unassuming waterfalls, each one purifying the water further to create a clean, sweet dram which is entirely natural and unadulterated.
Arran is a truly independent distillery owned by a small group of shareholders rather than a faceless corporation which is all too rare these days, so worth supporting, especially when they produce such lovely whiskies.
From the colour, to the huge succulent fruitiness, ‘The Bodega’ will impress from the moment you pull it out of your whisky cabinet, and will leave any guest hoping you won’t stop at one round!
OUR TASTING NOTES
‘The Bodega’ is a rich and thick and creamy dram with plenty of oomph!, and certainly not lacking in the ‘whammo!’ department, either! The first fill sherry -hogsheads have done their job in spades on this whisky!
Colour: Dark, brownish gold
Nose: Very rich and enticing. Some spice, but warm rich caramelised fruits are the order of the day here.
Palate: A thick and luxurious mouthfeel with a delightful mild spicyness. Then fruit comes in waves over the spice – definitely cherries, but I also get a red-skin lolly type flavour as well in there.
Finish: Lovely. Just lovely. Sweet, chewy, chocolatey and warming. Very satisfying. You MUST have another!
FROM THE DISTILLERY
Sherry Cask The Bodega is a stunning new addition to our core range of whiskies and is the perfect choice for someone who enjoys their Single Malt with plenty of body and complexity.
Matured in some of the finest casks available to the whisky industry, this cask strength 100% Sherry matured Single Malt is both luxurious and elegant with layers of rich sweet spice and oak. Our Master Distiller has worked with producers in some of the most prestigious Sherry Bodegas in Jerez, Spain to select only the best quality casks to be filled with our precious spirit.
This bottling is a return to the style of some of the earliest Arran Single Malt, which was mostly matured in Sherry Casks. This whisky showcases the skill and expertise of the Arran Master Distiller in his work with different wood types and supreme cask selection.
The purity of our water means we can create a clean, sweet dram which is entirely natural and unadulterated. We never add caramel or strip flavour out using chill filtration.
Nose: Toffee, sweet spice and fruit
Palate: Ripe Fig and Cherries
Finish: Dark Chocolate, Mandarins, Ripe figs.
ABOUT THE DISTILLERY
The Arran Distillery was founded in 1995, which makes it one of the younger distilleries in Scotland. It was the first legal distillery on the Isle of Arran since 1837. It should be noted though, that more than 50 illegal stills were working in various hidden locations on the island in the early 19th century. So whisky production isn’t exactly in the experimental/developmental stage here. In fact, the Islands whisky producers (both legal and illicit) have enjoyed the reputation of producing some of the best whisky in Scotland.
Every drop of Arran Single Malt starts its life as rainwater which pools at Loch na Davie in the beautiful hill high above the distillery. The clear water cascades down the hillside, through six unassuming waterfalls, each one purifying the water further. The name of the burn, Easan Biorach, means ‘Sharp Waterfalls’ in Gaelic. The purity of the water means that the distilling team can create a clean, sweet dram which is entirely natural and unadulterated.
The islanders of Arran like to boast they have the purest water in Scotland and claim that this water, plus the warm ‘micro-climate’ are two contributing factors to the island’s reputation for great whisky. We’re not sure just how ‘warm’ the micro-climate is though, with the Isle of Arran’s average summer temperature hovering around 14 degrees C. But we are sure that with temperatures like this – the Isle of Arran offers an ideal dramming climate.
Arran is a truly independent distillery owned by a small group of share holders rather than a faceless corporation which is all too rare these days so worth supporting, especially when they produce such lovely whiskies.
Of interest, the ‘Isle of Arran Distillers’ have just finished building a new distillery (also on the Isle of Arran) which will specialise in peated offerings.
