Arran 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700ml

Arran are one of the first of the 'new wave' of Scottish distilleries to reach maturity. To mark that watershed, they've released 3000 bottles of their oldest expression to date. Now sold out at the distillery, it has been eagerly anticipated by those already enamoured with the superb 18 & 21. And if you're surprised by the price, consider the massive hikes for similar age statements from Macallan, Highland Park, Ardbeg or Balblair et al. and it actually compares very favourably. The 25 year old is set to become an annual offering, although outturns will remain minimal (no doubt they're reserving a portion for even older releases in the future). Impressively housed in a timber presentation case, it comes matured in 35% ex-sherry and 65% ex-bourbon casks, but was also allocated twelve months in first-fill and refill sherry hogsheads. Like most other Arrans, it's bottled at 46% without chill filtration or the addition of any colouring.