This Arran was matured for 8 years in traditional bourbon casks and finished for a further 6 months in bordeaux wine casks from Château La Conseillante. The château uses mainly new French oak.

  
Arran 8yo ‘Pomerol finish’ (50%, OB 2009, bordeaux wine cask, 9420 btl.)

Nose: very rubbery I’m afraid, like wine finishes can be. Hints of cooked red fruits (strawberry) and cinnamon. Some blood oranges. Hints of vanilla and cranberries. Mouth: plums and oak. Again some strawberries with malty notes. Liquorice. After a while, big notes of ginger. Too much (new) wood. Finish: oaky, slightly peppery with hints of cereals.

A curious Arran. I still don’t get why Arran, Edradour or Bruichladdich keep finishing in wine casks so much. Apart from a few exceptions, I find the results rarely satisfying. Arran Peacock shows their normal maturation is much better.

Score: 70/100