Arran
Signature Series: Edition 3 - Duero Discovery
- 50
- 70cl
- Taste: 2
- Islands
Harold Currie, former director of Chivas, founded Arran Distillers in 1994 with the goal of building a distillery on the Isle of Arran. He chose Lochranza, a picturesque village on the island's northern tip, for its proximity to Loch na Davie, a pristine source of fresh water ideal for distilling. Construction of the distillery wrapped up in 1995, but the project faced early challenges, including financial difficulties and adverse weather...
Read more
Read more
Harold Currie, former director of Chivas, founded Arran Distillers in 1994 with the goal of building a distillery on the Isle of Arran. He chose Lochranza, a picturesque village on the island's northern tip, for its proximity to Loch na Davie, a pristine source of fresh water ideal for distilling. Construction of the distillery wrapped up in 1995, but the project faced early challenges, including financial difficulties and adverse weather conditions. Despite these setbacks, the first spirit was distilled on June 29, 1995. The distillery officially opened in August 1997, with the then Prince of Wales (now King Charles III) attending the ceremony.
To diversify its offerings, Arran Distillers decided to explore the production of peated whisky. This led to the establishment of a second distillery at Lagg, located in the southern part of the island. The Lagg Distillery, which began operations in 2019, focuses on producing heavily peated whiskies, in contrast to the mostly unpeated whiskies of Lochranza.
The Signature Series is a four-part limited-edition series. It's a selection of Arran Single Malts showcasing the diversity of their spirit and the values that's important to them.
Duero Discovery is the third bottling of this edition. This rich, ruby amber 12 year old whisky is an unpeated dram. The whisky matured for six years in first and second fill bourbon barrels. It then spent another six years in first-fill Spanish red wine casks, from the wine-producing region along the Duero River.
Official Tasting Notes
Nose - Bright with caramelised fruit and hazelnuts. Slight note of salted caramel and zesty grapefruit rind.
Palate - Full bodied, plenty of complex mouth feel. Oak forward with dark red berries and creamy vanilla. A little ginger, sweet spice and aniseed.
Finish - Sweetness, hazelnut, ripe figs, mouth-watering.
To diversify its offerings, Arran Distillers decided to explore the production of peated whisky. This led to the establishment of a second distillery at Lagg, located in the southern part of the island. The Lagg Distillery, which began operations in 2019, focuses on producing heavily peated whiskies, in contrast to the mostly unpeated whiskies of Lochranza.
The Signature Series is a four-part limited-edition series. It's a selection of Arran Single Malts showcasing the diversity of their spirit and the values that's important to them.
Duero Discovery is the third bottling of this edition. This rich, ruby amber 12 year old whisky is an unpeated dram. The whisky matured for six years in first and second fill bourbon barrels. It then spent another six years in first-fill Spanish red wine casks, from the wine-producing region along the Duero River.
Official Tasting Notes
Nose - Bright with caramelised fruit and hazelnuts. Slight note of salted caramel and zesty grapefruit rind.
Palate - Full bodied, plenty of complex mouth feel. Oak forward with dark red berries and creamy vanilla. A little ginger, sweet spice and aniseed.
Finish - Sweetness, hazelnut, ripe figs, mouth-watering.
Tasting Rating Guide
1: Light, good for beginners - an aperitif on a summers day, i.e. Glengoyne, Auchentoshan
2: Also good for beginners but with more depth and body - a little stronger than 1, ie. Glenmorangie, Speyburn
3: A dram for everyone, a little more complex so the palate requires a little more experience, i.e. Cragganmore, Macallan
4: A stronger spirit, a big whisky with lots of character and body, excellent after dinner, i.e. Lagavulin, Laphroaig