It seems like just yesterday we ran a feature on the Arran distillery shortly after they began distilling. Fifteen years is something to celebrate. Congratulations!
Press release is below. (Pretty cool bottle. too!)
ISLE OF ARRAN WHISKY CELEBRATES WITH SPECIAL BOTTLING
June 29th will mark the 15thAnniversary of award-winning single malt Scotch whisky producer the Isle of Arran Distillery.
To mark the occasion, the distillery is to release a commemorative bottling – a 1999 vintage which has been finished for two years in Amontillado Sherry casks. This has given the Arran Malt a rich nutty character with a complex sweet-spicy finish.
Arran’s Master Distiller, James MacTaggart said: “The quality of these casks from the famous house of Valdespino is second to none and we are delighted with the end result –this is the perfect whisky for toasting our 15th anniversary.
“Bottled at natural cask strength of 54.6% and limited to 5,640 bottles worldwide, demand for this release is sure to outstrip supply.”
No artificial colouring has been added and the whisky has not been subjected to chill-filtration at the bottling stage resulting in a more complex and full-bodied character.
Pale gold in colour, it has an intriguing aroma of hazelnuts, cloves and Parma-violets. This gives it a crisp, briny and lingering spice with a citrus note on the finish.
The whisky has been packaged in a striking design with the wings of a golden-eagle, the symbol of the Isle of Arran Distillery, emblazoned on both the bottle and the bold orange gift box.
Managing Director Euan Mitchell said: “We have come so far in 15 years that it was only fitting we mark the occasion with such a unique bottling of The Arran Malt.
“With this release we mark the past and look forward to great things in the future.”
The 15th Anniversary bottling will be available in 15 markets around the world including the UK, USA, France, Germany, Japan and Taiwan
In the UK, the 15th Anniversary will have a recommended retail price of £55.00 available from leading independent whisky retailers.
The Isle of Arran Distillery will be opening its doors on the 3rdof July and hosting a series of masterclasses finishing the day with a traditional Scottish ‘ceilidh’ with music by the renowned Skerryvore.
The distillery also recently announced it is to double production to meet rising demand following positive results for 2009.
Yes, cool package and cask strength too! Nice to see it coming to the US.
Sure to stand out on the shelf.
For sure!
Strange they have nothing on their web site yet about the 15 YO and no price point yet either.
…not coming to Canada….more cross border shopping….’on we go’…..
Congrats to Arran – they’ve been such real trailblazers in their short history that sometimes it’s easy to forget they haven’t been around forever.
I was at Arran distillery recently and it is a really nice place to visit. I am glad they still make an impression on everyone with some really outstanding bottles.
I am also quite happy about the decrease of odd casks to finish their whisky in. They have less and less odd finishes out every year, which is a good thing, since their whisky is quite outstanding already, when matured in bourbon or sherry barrels. There is no need for Pomerol, Bordeaux, Champagne, Cognac, Chardonnay and what-have-you casks… The Calvados finish was pretty good though
@ BJ Reed..
Its says nothing about it being a 15yo…it’s ‘just’ a release commemorating their 15th anniversary.
The release being af 1999vintage can’t therefore be more than 10/11yo
Regards,
B’mac
The 15 year old was supposed to be released this year, they told me. It only seems logical to do that just before the open day, since you will sell heaps then.
I think they even said that the 15 was going to replace the 12 year old. I’m not entirely sure, but anyway…
Hi Folks, just wanted to clear up a couple of issues raised in the comments. The whisky used in the 15th anniversary bottling is from our 1999 distillation. We have not made any reference to it being a 15 Year Old but given the anniversary some confusion is inevitable. The whisky is in fact 10 years old. We are releasing a 14 Year Old version of Arran in August 2010 and not a 15 Year Old as some have mentioned. Long term our core range will be Arran 10, 14 & 18 Year Olds. The 15th Anniversary Bottling will be in Canada – Alberta, Newfoundland and Ontario are all to get a small allocation. Hope to see some of you on Arran for our 15th anniversary party on July 3rd – it should be a blast! Slainte, Euan Mitchell, Managing Director, Isle of Arran Distillers Ltd
Thanks Euan for chiming in here and clarifying!
Wow, I love the design of the bottle! Eye-catching and unique while still looking classic and not tacky.
Dear all
Following up from Euan’s message the Anniversary Malt is on the water to the USA and will arrive in a couple of weeks. Canada’s orders will be picked up ASAP. If anyone requires information on local stockists, feel free to email me direct – Andrew@arranwhisky.com
Most any Arran news is excellent news, and this is no exception. Also wonderful to see the long term plans for the core range. Does anyone know if the 12 YO is available anywhere in the States?
Henry
The 12yo did not go to the US as we feared that it would dilute the influence of the 10yo.
There is a little 12yo left in the UK, may be available on mail order. Email me for more details…or hang on for the 14yo!!
Andrew
Andrew
Many thanks for your response – and for all your attention to detail. Royal Mile still has the 12yo, but the shipping makes it pretty pricey. Very much looking forward to the 15th Anniversary bottling; maybe that will help us hang on until the 14yo arrives on our shores. (And here’s hoping the Washington State liquor control board will see fit to purchase plenty of both.) Congratulations on your anniversary, and thanks again for the excellent malt.
Henry