Arran Distillers releases oldest single malt

Arran Distillers is releasing its oldest single malt Scotch whisky to date, the first in a trilogy of extra-aged whiskies.

Only 9,000 bottles of The Arran Malt 16-year-old will be available worldwide

The Isle of Arran distiller is releasing just 9,000 bottles of a 16-year-old Scotch made from un-peated malted barley, and aged in a mixture of Bourbon and sherry casks.

Bottled at 46% abv and priced at £59.99 for a 700ml bottle, The Arran Malt 16 Year Old, which is released in April, marks the first of three new whiskies released by the distiller.

The next two whiskies in the series will be a 17-year-old launching in spring 2014, and an 18-year-old set for release in spring 2015.

James MacTaggart, master distiller at Arran Distillers, said: “Our first 16 year old whisky encapsulates everything that is great and unique about Isle of Arran malt whiskies.

“The spirit is non-chill filtered and contains no artificial colours so it retains a full range of aromas and flavours – it smells of honey and ginger and has a smooth taste with waves of sweetness and spice.”

Euan Mitchell, managing director, added: “It’s satisfying to see the whisky, which we laid down when the distillery first opened, finally come of age and become available for the public to enjoy.”

Up until now the distillery’s oldest malt is a 14-year-old finished in Bourbon and sherry casks for two years.