1996 Douglas Laing & Co. Old Particular Single Cask Arran 20 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Buy this Arran with confidence. We we're impressed, as was malt maniac, Serge Valentin - see below. (His 89 points equates to mid 90s in most people's books).

This is one of 287 bottles released under indie bottler, Douglas Laing's 'Old Particular' label, drawn from a single refill hogshead in 2016. A direct import, the deal gets even sweeter at high proof and with zero chill filtration or added colouring. The distillery has always produced an impeccably pure spirit. Next to sampling straight from the cask, this one may be as close as you get to Arran heaven.

Tasting note: Polished copper / amber gold. Typical Arran aromas show impeccable purity. A dense bouquet, packed with malt, candied fruits and butter menthol goodness. After 4-5 minutes exposure the nose shifts to toffee apple and cream. The thick malty attack is oily-yet-fresh, semi-sweet, loaded with vanilla and stewed fruits. Finish is zesty, cream sponge cake-like, then malty, oily again, pleasingly warming and long. A small amount of water broadens and softens the profile, but this is great straight up. Very large scaled for this distillery. 51.5% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... Colour: gold. Nose: oh yes, further down the mentholy route! Pink grapefruits and crushed mint leaves, then a little damp earth (mud, really), then maple syrup and ultra-fresh sponge cake. I have no quarrel with this. With water: lemon tea. Mouth (neat): some very good toasted lemon brioche and various pastries, café latte, lemon curd, and a spoonful of Ovaltine. With water: perfect zesty and herbal maltiness. Finish: medium, malty and cake-y, with a lemony backbone. Comments: I remember in the early 2000s, everybody used to wonder why Arran didn’t go all-peated. This may be an answer. 89 points - www.whiskyfun.com