ARRAN 5 ans 2011 50PPM PEATED LMDW Cellar Book

Nose : fine, distinguished. With huge complexity, the initial nose reveals a delicately fruity (pear), smoky and spicy (root ginger) peat. Allowed to breathe, its floral aspect comes to the fore, notably revealing white florals (lily of the valley, lily, iris). Very svelte, it then takes on notes of honey and vanilla. Incredibly consistent as a whole. The appearance of aromatic plants (mint, verbena, sage) beautifully punctuates the nose._x000D_ _x000D_

Palate : simultaneously firm and delicate. Whilst showing wonderful exoticism (pineapple), the attack on the palate also reveals rooty notes of ginger and ginseng. It is also saline, bursting with mineral salts that bring lots of freshness. The invigorating mid-palate has a delicately powdery texture (rice) before taking on a more milky (almond, walnut) and herbaceous (cut hay) aspect.

Overall : long, beautifully sculpted. Still with huge freshness, the peat is now, more than ever, the backbone of this Arran. The complex finish at times even becomes hot (Cayenne). A sensation of deep balance emanates from the end of the palate. On the retro-nasal olfaction, noble spices (saffron, cumin) appear alongside exotic fruits (banana, persimmon). The empty glass reveals notes of liquorice, camphor, vanilla and malt._x000D_