tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462121554175947733.post7284002246348713064..comments2024-03-12T21:47:25.783-07:00Comments on Chemistry of the Cocktail: Whisky Review: Arran Sherry Single Cask #391Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06448702693643593156noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462121554175947733.post-30142191735179526672014-05-29T11:16:16.713-07:002014-05-29T11:16:16.713-07:00I've yet to try a sherried Arran where their m...I've yet to try a sherried Arran where their malt didn't shine through, so I'm pretty sure they know it's not in their best interest to cover it up. It also helps that they (almost) never do sherry finishes. The releases are either all sherry casks or mixtures of bourbon and sherry casks.Jordanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06448702693643593156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462121554175947733.post-12750520286025535372014-05-29T11:04:22.218-07:002014-05-29T11:04:22.218-07:00I was surprised to have liked this better, since I...I was surprised to have liked this better, since I'm not big on sherry. They clearly have a very good wood management, similar to Kilchoman - the sherry is very well integrated. In contrast, the Glenmorangie finishes feel like veneer, flavor added rather than intrinsic. At the same time, the Arran profile is modern, not old-school (a la Benromach). As I said, imho Arran as a rule needs to be older than 12, but it's certainly one to look for.Florinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14445344658258056628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462121554175947733.post-69870013073466019252014-05-29T06:23:57.639-07:002014-05-29T06:23:57.639-07:00This is definitely the more enjoyable of the two. ...This is definitely the more enjoyable of the two. Sherry seems to be a perfect match for Arran's spirit and sort far I've never tried one that really overwhelmed their underlying character. In terms of more readily available whiskies, the new-ish 12 Year CS is in the same ballpark and a bit cheaper than the single casks.Jordanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06448702693643593156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462121554175947733.post-54631360583453805242014-05-28T23:56:22.509-07:002014-05-28T23:56:22.509-07:00Thanks for the sample, Jordan! I enjoyed this one...Thanks for the sample, Jordan! I enjoyed this one even more than the Bourbon cask #77. I also found the sherry side quite restrained - second/third refill? - which allowed the spirit to come through. I would have guessed it to be older than its 11 years of age, this shows that the sherry cask(s) did a good job at smoothing out the rough edges of the spirit, but without overwhelming it. Very nice notes of bakery and confectioner's sugar, restrained sweetness, full flavor at cask strength. Very satisfying!Florinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14445344658258056628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462121554175947733.post-57189873934484753612012-05-10T08:24:32.304-07:002012-05-10T08:24:32.304-07:00Thanks, Josh. I'm really curious to find out i...Thanks, Josh. I'm really curious to find out if any of the other bottles here in Oregon are from a different cask. While not exactly a cheap proposition, I'd be really curious to see how much cask-to-cask variation there is in these whiskies. I also have a bottle of Arran Bourbon Single Cask, so eventually I'll get to compare the two.Jordanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06448702693643593156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462121554175947733.post-36747537508048856132012-05-09T20:27:04.886-07:002012-05-09T20:27:04.886-07:00My oh my - what a flavor profile. This is the bes...My oh my - what a flavor profile. This is the best review of an Arran malt I've seen and the first that really inspired lust in me. Great review. Nice depiction of the sherry flavor profile. Sherry is a chameleon. It can mate with whisky and other elements (such as sulfur - as some sherry casks are sulfured to sterilize them before use) with a wide variety of effects. The curry spice of Glendronach versus the walnut toffee ice cream effect of Macallan, for example.<br /><br />It would be interesting to really know the differences in barrel management going on in the various sherry bomb expressions.Josh Feldmanhttp://cooperedtot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462121554175947733.post-90548363583195057102012-05-09T18:20:17.593-07:002012-05-09T18:20:17.593-07:00Jordan, your comments about sherry cask usage remi...Jordan, your comments about sherry cask usage reminded me of a conversation I had with Chip Dykstra at the Rum Howler Blog. Chip is very knowledgeable and shared some information with me about cask usage at Glenfarclas and Macallan.<br /><br />Here is the link (read the comments):<br />http://therumhowlerblog.wordpress.com/whisky-reviews/scotch-whisky/glenfarclas-105-cask-strength-highland-single-malt-whisky/Ryanhttp://valuewhisky.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com