| Isle of
Arran Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Lochranza, Isle of Arran
KA27 8HJ Scotland
Tel: +44 (0) 1770 830264
Viewer's Comments about Isle of Arran
 A
dynamic new force in the scotch whisky industry, Isle of Arran
Distillers is one of the few remaining independent distilleries
in Scotland. Based at Lochranza on the Isle of Arran, one
of the most beautiful and famous in Scotland which lies off
the West Coast between Ayrshire and Kintyre.
Arran is a unique island known as 'Scotland in Miniature',
for it has all of the scenery of Scotland, with mountains
and lowlands, glens, lochs and royal castles (including one
at Lochranza). Early in the 19th century, there were more
than 50 whisky distilleries on Arran, most of them illegal
and carefully hidden from the eyes of the taxmen. The malt
from Arran was shipped to the mainland and enjoyed by the
gentry who regularly "took the Arran waters". It
was acclaimed at the time as the best in Scotland, only rivalled
by those from the 'Glen of Livet'.
Following a survey by the Geology Department of Glasgow University,
the owner was advised to open his new Distillery on Arran
for three reasons:
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They had found the purest water supply
in all of Scotland at Loch na Davie, high in the hills
that overlook the village of Lochranza on the North
coast of Arran.
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Arran is washed by the warm waters
of the Gulf Stream and enjoys a microclimate - ideal
for the speedy maturation of single malt whiskies.
- As already stated, the Island already enjoyed a reputation
for producing top quality - if illegal - whisky.
In 1995 we opened a new distillery on Arran, in one of the
most beautiful locations in Scotland. We use only the traditional
methods of distilling, with wooden washbacks and copper stills
designed to our exact specification. The location offers perfect
water for whisky production, cleansed by granite and softened
by peat as it comes down from the mountain above. The atmosphere
of sea breezes and clear mountain air together with the warm
flow of the Gulf Stream matures the Arran Malt to perfection
in earth floored warehouses.
We are now developing sales of our brands, across the world
in Europe, Asia and the Americas. Arran is a unique island,
and our products are similarly unique. We use no peat in the
production process and no caramel for artificial colouring
- unlike most other whisky companies. As a result, our products
are rightly described as 'the true spirit of nature'.
Our Arran Single Malt products are also non-chillfiltered.
Chill filtration was invented to improve the physical clarity
and brightness of the bottled spirit by removing the emulsified
oils to eliminate clouding in the bottle. Many independent
companies have started bottling once again without the chill
filtration as they believe it also removed many flavour elements
of the spirit. A non-chillfiltered bottling is more natural
and allows the spirit to retain as much of its original character
as possible.
Production commenced at 14.29 on Thursday 29th June 1995 and
during the official opening ceremony on August 17th, two golden
eagles, who live on the mountain behind the Distillery, provided
a fly past as a 'thank you' for halting building work for
several weeks to allow them to hatch their chicks. On a warm
summer's day they can still be found, floating high on the
thermal currents, before dropping like a stone hunting their
quarry.
Following a tour of the Distillery, guests can now enjoy a
relaxing dram of our award-winning Single Island Malt products
in our delightful tasting bar. Our philosophy is to produce
a range of whiskies of the very finest quality and the rapid
growth of our business over the last few years seems to suggest
that we are well on our way to achieving our goal.
Arran Coastline - North of Brodick |
In 2005, Isle of Arran Distillers Ltd was awarded The Queen's
Award for International Trade, the most prestigeous corporate
award in the UK. Other more recent awards in 2007 include:
Isle of Arran Distillers Ltd - Scottish Distiller of the
Year; Isle of Arran Distillers Ltd - Scottish Drinks Producer
of the Year; The Arran Gold Cream Liqueur - Named as The
World's Best Whisky Liqueur at the World Whisky Awards;
The Arran Malt, 10yr Old - Highly Commended at the World
Whisky Awards; The Robert Burns Single Malt - Silver Medal
and Best In Class at the IWSC; The Arran 100 Proof - Silver
Medal and Best In Class at the IWSC -and- The Arran Malt,
10yr Old - Silver Medal at the Stockholm Beer & Whisky
Festival 2007.
Courtesy of Isle of Arran Distillery
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ARRAN 10 YEAR OLD SINGLE
MALT SCOTCH WHISKY
Colour: Ripe Golden
Barley
Nose:
The initial rush of vanilla sweetness gives way
to the fruits of slow distillation - kiwi, banana,
cantaloupe melon - with just a dusting of cocoa
powder. It is undoubtedly complex and yet the aromas
are in complete harmony with the malt.
Taste: A touch
of cinnamon adds a spicy edge to the soft and sweet
texture which captivates the palate. The classic
Arran citrus notes have rounded with age and reveal
new depths of character against a background of
sweet oak.
Finish: It drifts
over the tongue like golden syrup and fades ever
so slowly to tempt another sip. This is a beautifully
made whisky. Arran has come a long way in 10 years.
Truly the best things in life are always worth waiting
for!
Tasting Notes from Arran Distillery
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ARRAN 100 PROOF SINGLE
MALT SCOTCH WHISKY Colour:
Polished Copper
Nose: Intense fruitiness
with a burst of citrus - Seville oranges, lemond
rind & lime - giving way to sweet apples, pear
and rich vanilla. The array of aromas on display
is underpinned by a delightful barley sugar character.
Palate: A true
blast of fresh island character with a full-bodied,
oily edge which coats the palate. A splash of water
allows a host of spicy-sweet flavours to emerge
with honey, toffee and ginger all pulling the strings.
Rich, malty and magnificent!
Finish: The Arran
Malt in concentrated form with bags of charisma
to entice and engage in equal measure. What time
does the next ferry for Arran leave?
Tasting Notes from Arran Distillery |
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Isle of ArranWhisky Distillery
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The Isle of Arran Distillery &
Visitor Centre |
Visitor Centre
Mid March to end October: 10.00 - 18.00
(Sundays 11.00 - 18.00)
November to February: 10.00 - 16.00
Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays & Sundays (11.00 -
16.00)
Telephone for further details (01770 830264)
Tours:
Daily 10.30 - 16.30 (March - October) (Sundays 11.30 -
16.30)
Daily 10.30 - 14.30 (November - February) (Sundays 11.30
- 14.30)
Shop & Restaurant: Daily 10.00 -
18.00 (March - October) (Sundays 11.00 - 18.00)
(Restaurant is serving teas, coffees, light snacks, lunches
and high teas)
Travel Directions
Directions to Ardrossan (ferry terminal)
From Glasgow:
Take the M8 to Junction 29
A737 to Dalry. Ardrossan is signposted from Dalry.
From the South:
Take the M6 and A74 to Gretna
At Gretna take the A75 to Dumfries
At Dumfries take the A76 north to Kilmarnock
At Kilmarnock take the A71 west to Irvine
At Irvine take the A78 north following signs for Ardrossan
Directions to Distillery
Upon leaving the ferry follow signs to Lochranza in the
north of the Island. Follow the main coastal road to the
north for approx. 15 miles until reaching Lochranza. The
distillery is situated on the left before you enter the
village.
More Info - Contact Us
Lochranza, Isle of Arran
KA27 8HJ Scotland
Telephone: +44 (0)1770 830264
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