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Isle of Arran Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Lochranza, Isle of Arran
KA27 8HJ Scotland
Tel: +44 (0) 1770 830264
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A dynamic new force in the scotch whisky industry, Isle of Arran Distillers is one of the few remaining independent distilleries in Scotland. Based at Lochranza on the Isle of Arran, one of the most beautiful and famous in Scotland which lies off the West Coast between Ayrshire and Kintyre.

Arran is a unique island known as 'Scotland in Miniature', for it has all of the scenery of Scotland, with mountains and lowlands, glens, lochs and royal castles (including one at Lochranza). Early in the 19th century, there were more than 50 whisky distilleries on Arran, most of them illegal and carefully hidden from the eyes of the taxmen. The malt from Arran was shipped to the mainland and enjoyed by the gentry who regularly "took the Arran waters". It was acclaimed at the time as the best in Scotland, only rivalled by those from the 'Glen of Livet'.

Following a survey by the Geology Department of Glasgow University, the owner was advised to open his new Distillery on Arran for three reasons:
  • They had found the purest water supply in all of Scotland at Loch na Davie, high in the hills that overlook the village of Lochranza on the North coast of Arran.
  • Arran is washed by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream and enjoys a microclimate - ideal for the speedy maturation of single malt whiskies.
  • As already stated, the Island already enjoyed a reputation for producing top quality - if illegal - whisky.
In 1995 we opened a new distillery on Arran, in one of the most beautiful locations in Scotland. We use only the traditional methods of distilling, with wooden washbacks and copper stills designed to our exact specification. The location offers perfect water for whisky production, cleansed by granite and softened by peat as it comes down from the mountain above. The atmosphere of sea breezes and clear mountain air together with the warm flow of the Gulf Stream matures the Arran Malt to perfection in earth floored warehouses.

We are now developing sales of our brands, across the world in Europe, Asia and the Americas. Arran is a unique island, and our products are similarly unique. We use no peat in the production process and no caramel for artificial colouring - unlike most other whisky companies. As a result, our products are rightly described as 'the true spirit of nature'.

Our Arran Single Malt products are also non-chillfiltered. Chill filtration was invented to improve the physical clarity and brightness of the bottled spirit by removing the emulsified oils to eliminate clouding in the bottle. Many independent companies have started bottling once again without the chill filtration as they believe it also removed many flavour elements of the spirit. A non-chillfiltered bottling is more natural and allows the spirit to retain as much of its original character as possible.

Production commenced at 14.29 on Thursday 29th June 1995 and during the official opening ceremony on August 17th, two golden eagles, who live on the mountain behind the Distillery, provided a fly past as a 'thank you' for halting building work for several weeks to allow them to hatch their chicks. On a warm summer's day they can still be found, floating high on the thermal currents, before dropping like a stone hunting their quarry.

Following a tour of the Distillery, guests can now enjoy a relaxing dram of our award-winning Single Island Malt products in our delightful tasting bar. Our philosophy is to produce a range of whiskies of the very finest quality and the rapid growth of our business over the last few years seems to suggest that we are well on our way to achieving our goal.
Arran Coastline / Photo Courtesy of Isle of Arran Distillery
Arran Coastline - North of Brodick

In 2005, Isle of Arran Distillers Ltd was awarded The Queen's Award for International Trade, the most prestigeous corporate award in the UK. Other more recent awards in 2007 include: Isle of Arran Distillers Ltd - Scottish Distiller of the Year; Isle of Arran Distillers Ltd - Scottish Drinks Producer of the Year; The Arran Gold Cream Liqueur - Named as The World's Best Whisky Liqueur at the World Whisky Awards; The Arran Malt, 10yr Old - Highly Commended at the World Whisky Awards; The Robert Burns Single Malt - Silver Medal and Best In Class at the IWSC; The Arran 100 Proof - Silver Medal and Best In Class at the IWSC -and- The Arran Malt, 10yr Old - Silver Medal at the Stockholm Beer & Whisky Festival 2007.

Courtesy of Isle of Arran Distillery

ARRAN
10 YEAR SINGLE MALT
SCOCTH WHISKY

Arran 10 Year Malt
ARRAN 10 YEAR OLD SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

Colour: Ripe Golden Barley

Nose: The initial rush of vanilla sweetness gives way to the fruits of slow distillation - kiwi, banana, cantaloupe melon - with just a dusting of cocoa powder. It is undoubtedly complex and yet the aromas are in complete harmony with the malt.

Taste: A touch of cinnamon adds a spicy edge to the soft and sweet texture which captivates the palate. The classic Arran citrus notes have rounded with age and reveal new depths of character against a background of sweet oak.

Finish: It drifts over the tongue like golden syrup and fades ever so slowly to tempt another sip. This is a beautifully made whisky. Arran has come a long way in 10 years. Truly the best things in life are always worth waiting for!

Tasting Notes from Arran Distillery

ARRAN 100 PROOF
SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

Arran 100 Proof Single Malt Scotch Whisky  
ARRAN 100 PROOF SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

Colour: Polished Copper

Nose: Intense fruitiness with a burst of citrus - Seville oranges, lemond rind & lime - giving way to sweet apples, pear and rich vanilla. The array of aromas on display is underpinned by a delightful barley sugar character.

Palate: A true blast of fresh island character with a full-bodied, oily edge which coats the palate. A splash of water allows a host of spicy-sweet flavours to emerge with honey, toffee and ginger all pulling the strings. Rich, malty and magnificent!

Finish: The Arran Malt in concentrated form with bags of charisma to entice and engage in equal measure. What time does the next ferry for Arran leave?

Tasting Notes from Arran Distillery

Isle of ArranWhisky Distillery
Isle of Arran Distillery / Photo Courtesy of Isle of Arran Distillery
The Isle of Arran Distillery & Visitor Centre

Visitor Centre
Mid March to end October: 10.00 - 18.00 (Sundays 11.00 - 18.00)

November to February: 10.00 - 16.00 Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays & Sundays (11.00 - 16.00)
Telephone for further details (01770 830264)

Tours:
Daily 10.30 - 16.30 (March - October) (Sundays 11.30 - 16.30)
Daily 10.30 - 14.30 (November - February) (Sundays 11.30 - 14.30)

Shop & Restaurant: Daily 10.00 - 18.00 (March - October) (Sundays 11.00 - 18.00)
(Restaurant is serving teas, coffees, light snacks, lunches and high teas)

Travel Directions
Directions to Ardrossan (ferry terminal)

From Glasgow:
Take the M8 to Junction 29
A737 to Dalry. Ardrossan is signposted from Dalry.

From the South:
Take the M6 and A74 to Gretna
At Gretna take the A75 to Dumfries
At Dumfries take the A76 north to Kilmarnock
At Kilmarnock take the A71 west to Irvine
At Irvine take the A78 north following signs for Ardrossan

Directions to Distillery
Upon leaving the ferry follow signs to Lochranza in the north of the Island. Follow the main coastal road to the north for approx. 15 miles until reaching Lochranza. The distillery is situated on the left before you enter the village.

More Info - Contact Us
Lochranza, Isle of Arran
KA27 8HJ Scotland
Telephone: +44 (0)1770 830264