Speyburn Arranta Casks

Speyburn Arranta Casks

84 Average

A touch better than the sibling 10-Year Old.  An average scotch that outperforms its cost.  Share this U.S. exclusive with your friends just getting into Scotch.

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INTRODUCTION

Will be catching a flight, within a matter of hours, for Louisville, Kentucky for a bourbon-fest mini-vacation.  Really looking forward to some distillery tours, tastings, and the Bourbon Classic events over the weekend.  But first, I want to shift my attention across the Atlantic to a single malt Scotch whisky – Speyburn Arranta Casks.

DISTILLERY DESCRIPTION

Speyburn Distillery in their Arranta release promotional materials notes that “Speyburn is nestled in the hills of the largest cluster of distilleries in the world and situated just outside the town of Rothes in the Speyside region within a hollow of lush tree line hills. It stands below a hill named ‘Cnoc na Croiche,’ or ‘Hillrock of the Gibbet,’ and is known to the locals of Rothes as ‘The Gibbet.’  The Distilliery was built from carved stone from the nearby River Spey, and the water used in creating Speyburn is sourced from a tributary of the famous river, known for its salmon fishing. . . . Inspired by the Gaelic word meaning ‘intrepid’ and ‘daring,’ Arranta Casks Single Malt is crafted using specially selected, first fill ex-bourbon casks, which help shape its pronounced and unique flavor profile.  This limited release is available exclusively to the U.S. market.  Let’s check out that flavor profile, after a few stats.

STATS

SCORING NOTES

Notes for Jeremy and I are annotated below by the identifiers (JR) or (WJ).

As always – the notes you see below were written and the bottle scored prior to any discussion by Jeremy and me of what we nosed, tasted, or felt overall, about the dram in consideration.

APPEARANCE

a touch more amber than the 10-year reviewed last time – rich golden color (WJ); honey (JR)

NOSE

definitely a touch more oak on the nose versus the 10-year, a darker sugar note, some cola-esque aromas with a touch of lemon – bright citrus, heavier overall on the nose than the 10-year release (WJ); more wood, molasses, pepper spice, Coke (JR)

PALATE

not what I expected from the nose – do not get as much oak, more vanilla, honey, and toffee note than 10-year, can taste the influence of all first fill bourbon casks, a definite spice at the end (WJ); easier on the palate heat-wise than the 10-year, even though higher proof – I’m not sure it as interesting though (JR)

FINISH

short to medium length finish – pleasant (WJ); again, seems less complex than the comparison 10-year old – with a shorter finish (JR)

SYNOPSIS

SPEYBURN ARRANTA CASKS:  A touch better than the 10-year in my opinion – this no age statement whisky does not wow you, but it is a good solid, average scotch that outperforms its cost (WJ). Reference the 10-year, not better . . . but different (JR).

ModernThirst.com Score:  84 (combined); 83 (WJ) and 84.5 (JR)

WRAP-UP

Last time I used the line – I want one bourbon, one scotch, and one beer from George Thorogood and the Destroyers as part of my description of the 10-Year Old.  Upon further reflection, I think the more bourbon cask influenced Speyburn Arranta is a slightly better fit for the one scotch in the song.  A good intro scotch.  Now I need to get some sleep for the early flight – going to seek out more than just one bourbon in Louisville.  Cheers.

Disclosure: The sampled bottle of Speyburn Arranta Casks Single Malt Scotch Whisky was graciously provided by Amy, representing Ten27 Communications on behalf of Speyburn Distillery.  ModernThirst.com appreciates their willingness to provide their products for review.  The contents of this review are our own, made without outside influence, or strings attached.