A details-poor sample from MR's drawer that she was keen to share (the sample, not the drawer).
Arran d.1996 (unknown ABV, cask sample): nose: summery, with loads of freshly-cut hay and warm pillows. It then gives a subtle note of nail varnish spilled on earth, and plums macerated in wine for a short while. It has a vague cake-y, custard-y aspect, more of a fluffy sponge cake turning golden brown in the oven than custard cream. Once out of the oven (oooh!), the cake is laid to cool on an oilcloth tablecloth. The second nose is earthier, though not in a farm-y way; instead, it is all types of granules, such as chicory, fenugreek and Vanydene. Only annatto is missing. Soon enough, Custard Cream biscuits emerge, as do dry-as-fook pineapple peels (or bark, really). Mouth: well, it is woodier than expected, with chocolate paste spread onto birch shelves. That combines with Custard Cream biscuits and the most minute hint of stem ginger. Chewing brings back summer, with warm custard kissing warm hay bales, apricots and canary melons (warm too, which is original, one will agree). The woody bitterness morphs into Ovaltine, or a milky chicory infusion. Indeed, the texture is that of warm, semi-skimmed milk, as if augmented with chicory granules. We spot a tame fruitiness as well, some kind of sweet-citrus peels or so. The second sip comes across as more acidic, with rhubarb compote, unripe-pineapple peels, preserved lemons (including the salty brine) and lemon juice sprinkled on an innocent custard cream. Looking hard, we find cucumber peels, chargrilled and peeled yellow peppers, and grapefruit-flavoured tonic water, which is to say that the bitterness makes a late comeback after all. The finish is an eruption of gorgeous yellow fruits -- peaches, apricots, Mirabelle plums, nectarines, fresh papaya. It is not exuberantly tropical, but it has some touches. The tongue is left a little numb and leathery, as if it had been licking wooden shelves (birch again), and there is certainly a bitter note, albeit a discreet one. The second gulp increases the bitter touch -- in a fruity way. To some extent, it is crushed Aspirin in a glass of sweetened grapefruit juice. Or grapefruit-and-peach tonic water, if you will. In that regard, it makes one think of Littlemill. Delicious indeed. A strong 8/10 (Thanks for the sample, MR)
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