Arran Machrie Moor 2nd Edition Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl

This little gem was recommended by a friend who drinks whisky occasionally. My expectations weren't high,but was I wrong . From the initial smell of orange and lemons followed by that subtle smell smoke it had me. For a cask strength 56% it was so easy on the palate . Great mouthfeel with vanilla notes. With just a half teaspoon of water it opened up and just kept giving. A very special dram . I've ordered another in case the stop producing Total serendipity.

I adore this whisky. I first had it on the Isle of Arran, and they had sold out of the bottles. Managed to track it down on here more quickly than through independent drink shops. So powerful and smokey. My favourite whisky.

Item was packed so tight in bubble container that it ripped a bit of label when I removed it

I visited the Arran Distillery in September and enjoyed the guided tour. I had an opportunity to taste the Cask Strength Machrie Moor and enjoyed it so much that I bought a bottle. This is Arran Whisky's only peated offering at the moment but soon they will be opening new distillery on the island to produce peated whisky to match their Islay counterparts. The Machrie Moor is only moderately peated at 20ppm and certainly not as smoky as the other well known peated brands. On the nose it has peat that isn't overwhelming, sweetness and sherry. There is smoke as well. On first tasting it neat I felt it was tight and didn't compare with the delicious smell. The flavours were 'held back' somewhat. Being cask strength, I was advised to add a tiny bit of water. Wow! What a difference, it opens the whisky up and now I can taste sweetness on top of peat, not the other way around. There is vanilla flavours certainly from the casks used. So a great whisky and a lovely inbetweener if you're not so into your peat monsters. Lovely and flavoursome. Recommended.