Arran 10 Year old Local Barley

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Most distilleries source their barley. Arran grew theirs.

The Isle of Arran is easy to miss on a map, a small island off the west coast of Scotland near Glasgow. But at its southern tip lies Bellevue Farm, where the Currie family have tended the land for six generations. In 2015 Arran Distillery partnered with the Curries to produce a single malt wholly born in Arran soil, with a sustainable approach of rotating barley fields and sheep grazing to keep the land healthy.

The Arran climate makes for a hardier grain than most, which created some sticky moments during distilling. Literally. The wort was far stickier than normal, requiring extra care through mashing and fermentation. Worth the effort. After 10 years maturing in first fill bourbon barrels and second fill sherry hogsheads, the result is a single malt with genuine provenance from grain to glass.

On the nose, vanilla and lemon meringue pie, warm grassiness from the barley, and bright citrus. The palate brings ashiness and black pepper smoke, oaky spice balanced by a quiet underlying sweetness. The finish is soft hessian, lingering cinnamon and vanilla spice, wrapped in an ashy saltiness that makes you want to go back for another sip.

From one small island to your glass.