I saw an unopened bottle of this at a local bar priced decently per pour for an IB Arran this age in my neck of the woods. Only 60 bottles were released under this label, so it's quite likely the rest of the hogshead was either blended or bottled under another bottling/bottler. Would seem rather odd that a hogshead this age only yielded 60 bottles. Not to be confused with the infamous private security firm.

Distillery: Arran

Region: Islands

Price: ~$18/30ml dram

Cask Type: Ex-bourbon(?) hogshead

ABV: 51.1%

Chill-filtered: No

Color: 0.5, yellow gold (natural colour).

Slowly savoured neat in a glencairn.

Nose: Initially, only brine, vanilla and buttercream. Give it air and it presents a wonderful beguiling fruity bouquet of strawberries, apples, persimmon, longan and agar seaweed gelatin

Palate: Super smooth, wonderful creamy texture, drinks a touch under strength - I would have expected it to be around 46%. Almond croissant cream, touch of walnut, brine, longan again.

Finish: Nondescript malt at first then a pleasant light minerality, with air I get Black Forest cake doused in cherry liqueur, bracing and savoury tie guan yin tea, a lingering hit of chocolate-coated potato crisps, the prickly tang of preserved mango, a touch more honey.

Conclusion: This is a delicate, beguiling Arran that demands lots of air before sipping, even though it doesn't burn at all when drunk right away. The texture is really good, the depth and complexity is spot on. What is left wanting is the overall intensity for me. A bit more of the bright, sweet fruitiness found on the nose would also be very welcome on the palate. Some might not like the brine as well, but I find it very gentle. I keep thinking about the nose and the finish. This is a very sippable Scotch that is also immensely rewarding to pick apart. Highly recommended for those who like cream and nuts in their Scotch. and a standout dram for this year for me.

If it were named by the SMWS: Kelping out with errands

Score: 90

Scotch Review #36, Whiskey Network Review #38

H.Y.