From the Isle of Arran Distillers, one of the few remaining independent distilleries in Scotland based at Lochranza on the Isle of Arran, which lies off the West Coast between Ayrshire and Kintyre. Although the bard never actually visited the Isle of Arran, he certainly would have seen it on clear days as he laboured in the fields of Ayrshire on his father's farm. At that time there were several illicit stills on Arran which produced whisky. The hooch was shipped to Dunure in Ayrshire - then the centre of the illegal whisky trade - before being shipped to the gentry in Scotland's major cities where they 'took the Arran waters'. This is an eloquent smooth dram, never chill filtered. The nose is of spiced pear, malt and honey. The taste is light, fruity and sweet at first, followed by a nutty, spiced finish. Silky and smooth overall. Score - 90. (Margaret Swaine, winealign.com, Jan. 19, 2013)
