Arran Lochranza 18 Years Old Blackadder Raw Cask:1830 52.6% 1996

Professional reviews

Serge Valentin (85)

That’s right, the great people at Blackadder are calling Arran ‘Lochranza’. Wondering, if they ever bottle a blend by Arran, what will the name be? Colour: straw. Nose: a bit sauvignony at first nosing, with a faint acetic side, then quite some varnish, just like in the 2005 for LMDW. The sherry casks again? And then some mud, chalk, rotting leaves, humus… There’s always something happening in Blackadder’s whiskies. Oh, yeah, by the way, I’ve said that I would quote Black Adder each and every time I’m trying some whisky by Blackadder. How does this sound then: “Oh, God, God, God! What on earth was I drinking last night? My head feels like there's a Frenchman living in it.” Okay, maybe not the best one. With water: becomes gentler, rounder, smoother, sweeter, maltier… Mouth (neat): young fresh malt whisky, with a slightly sour side. You could call that ‘slightly yoghurty’. Raw barley, a touch of varnish yet again, some sharp lemon juice, and always quite some sauvignon blanc. With water: bingo, I knew we would tame it. Agave syrup, barley water, tarte tatin, muesli. Finish: quite long, on the same flavours. Very malty. Comments: very malty indeed. Malty beer. Lots happening, even if it hasn’t got the high definition that a few others had.