Speyburn Arranta Casks Whisky Review
The longer it sits in your glass, the better it gets. While still not a particularly complex whisky, it’s pleasant and flavorful with a nice kick and plenty of nuances to explore.
BOTTLE DETAILS
- DISTILLER: Speyburn Distillery
- MASH BILL: 100% Malted Barley (Single Malt)
- MATURATION: Hand selected first fill American oak, ex-bourbon casks
- AGE: NAS – No Age Statement*
- YEAR: 2015
- PROOF: 92 (46% ABV)
- MSRP: $40.00
- BUY ONLINE: Liquor Barn
JARROD'S NOTES
NOSE: Vanilla | Pineapple | Alcohol
TASTE: Brown Sugar | Candied Oranges | Honey | Spice
FINISH: With the highest ABV in the core range, this one has some kick to it! A little bit of burn is to be expected, but it’s not overpowering. The lingering notes include orange peel and honey as well as the spicy vanilla from the first fill American oak, ex-bourbon barrels.
SHARE WITH: Share this with those who enjoy slightly higher proof Speyside whiskies. It’s no cask strength monster, as it still honors the line’s smoother, approachable profile, but the extra ABV is a welcomed punch and the first fill ex-bourbon barrels impart enough spice and oaky character that it may sway a few bourbon drinkers to give it a go. Since it is a U.S. Market exclusive, it would be perfect to share with any visitors from outside the U.S. who don’t have access to it.
WORTH THE PRICE: It is the highest priced offering in Speyburn’s core line, but it’s also the most potent and savory. At the suggested price of $40, it offers a more-than-adequate “bang for the scotch buck.” Granted, you could easily find similar value in a variety of different bourbons, but then… well, you’d be drinking bourbon and not single malt scotch. To each his/her own I guess, but I do feel you get your money’s worth on this one.
BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: If you’re skeptical, test it out at the bar first. If you can’t find it at a bar, I could think of a lot worse ways to spend $40.
OVERALL: The longer it sits in your glass, the better it gets. While still not a particularly complex whisky, it’s pleasant and flavorful with a nice kick and plenty of nuances to explore. Of the 3 Speyburn single malts I reviewed for Bourbon & Banter, this was my favorite.
BRAND NOTES
COLOR: Rich and Golden
NOSE: Toffee, vanilla honey, coconut, and spice
TASTE: A flavor that’s brimming with toffee, vanilla, and notes of spice. Bold and full bodied with a long-lasting finish of spicy, citris and honey notes.
AWARDS:
- 2016 International Spirits Challenge Gold Medal Winner
- Top 100 Spirits of 2015, Wine Enthusiast
- 94 Points / Excellent / Highly Recommended / Great Value from the 2017 Ultimate Spirits Challenge
SPEYBURN ARRANTA CASKS WHISKY BACKGROUND INFO
*I tried to get some additional information on the approximate age ranges of the whiskies used to create Arranta Casks, and received this response…
From Speyburn’s Brand Manager, Gillian Gibson: “When creating the Speyburn NAS selections, Stuart Harvey (IBHL’s master blender) has the freedom to use a wide range of vintages. We use young whisky, which gives the expression energy and clean, crisp character. However, we also work with older vintages which typically add depth and charisma. Each expression is different and we work with a flavor/taste profile rather than a number in mind.”
Disclaimer: Speyburn Distillery provided Bourbon & Banter with a sample of their product for this review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.