If you’re part of the Belgian whisky scene, you probably know Billy and Geert, once part of the same whisky club and now running two online whisky shops, Billy’s Whisky Barrel and Oldies & Goldies.
They’ve selected an Arran whisky matured for over 20 years in a bourbon cask.
Arran 20 yo 2001 ‘Premium Cask’ (55,5%, OB 2021 for Billy’s Whisky Barrel + Oldies & Goldies, bourbon cask #2001/010, 147 btl.)
Nose: all about the fruits. Oranges, pineapples, lemon sherbet and peaches. Fine accents of vanilla and barley sugar, as well as a hint of mint leaves. Hints of sweet almond paste in the background, as well as some mashed bananas. Nicely round and friendly.
Mouth: a bright and juicy fruit basket that explodes in your mouth, almost in an Irish way. Mango, pineapple, now also passion fruits and lime. Nectarines. Hints of candied ginger, pink grapefruit and mint. A wee hint of fresh oak and citrus zest in the end.
Finish: medium, still really fruity (mostly citrus now), with a pinch of white pepper and a light creamy note.
A vibrant, round and deeply fruity cask. Not the most complex perhaps, but the fruitiness is simply exquisite. Around € 160, now available from Billy’s Whisky Barrel or OGwhisky.