Arran is a very young distillery, it started production in June 1995 on the Isle of Arran. Their range is based around the Arran 10yo (of which the vatting was recently revised) and they have an extensive programme of wine cask finishes (Amarone, Chianti, Tokaji, Pomerol, Fino sherry among others).

This 1996 vintage named Peacock is the first in a new series called Icons of Arran. It’s a limited edition of 6000 bottles that came from 13 bourbon barrels and 7 sherry hogsheads. There has been a peacock called Albert running around the distillery since the opening.

Arran Peacock 12yo 1996
(46%, OB 2009, 6000 btl.)

Nose: totally in line with other Arran releases. Soft but sophisticated. Hints of sweet honey with lots of orange peel and some grapefruit. Vanilla and coconut. Mint. Sweet apples with cinnamon. Overall very fresh and candied, with a slightly flowery edge. Mouth: clean and malty start, again fruity with lots of oranges and hints of spices. Biscuits. Apple compote and banana. Vanilla cream. Nicely balanced wood influence. Not very complex but well made. Finish: not too long, sweet and fruity.

This Arran Peacock is very round and polished and I have to say it’s one of the first Arran that really convinced me. A nice feminine dram. Around € 45.

Score: 85/100