Scotch

Whisky Review: Speyburn Arranta Casks

We review Speyburn Arranta Casks, a limited-edition U.S.-only release of Speyburn single malt aged in first-fill bourbon barrels.

OVERALL RATING

7
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Tasting Notes

About:

92 proof, single malt, no age statement. First fill ex bourbon barrels. Retail pricing around $35 to $40.
Appearance:
Clear gold.
Nose:
Banana! Banana foster, banoffee cake, banana flambé. There’s also buttery wholegrain shortbread, vanilla, and rose water.
Palate:
A sweet entry, with a thin, gauzy mouth feel. Sweet vanilla wafer, cinnamon, nutmeg, under-baked banana bread, and malt syrup characterize the palate. It’s got a warm, surprisingly persistent finish, with icing and Red Hots candies as well as a subtle floral undertone.
Finish:
Comments:
Upon first tasting, I didn’t love this whisky. It felt one-dimensional, a little too thin, and overly banana-oriented. Over time, however, I began to find Arranta a bit more interesting, and the higher proof is a welcome touch for such a budget-friendly whisky. Then, in a wonderful illustration of context being key, it was excellent in a hot toddy enjoyed fireside during a (fearless, intrepid) December camping excursion in western Oregon, with hot water coaxing out some surprisingly nutty toffee tones.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Margarett Waterbury

Margarett Waterbury is the author of "Scotch: A Complete Introduction to Scotland's Whiskies" and a full-time freelance writer and editor specializing in the beverage industry. Her work has graced the pages of numerous publications, including Whisky Advocate, Food and Wine, Spirited Magazine, Artisan Spirit, Edible Seattle, Sip Northwest, Civil Eats, Travel Oregon, and many others. She also boasts editorial experience as the former managing editor of Edible Portland and as a co-founder and former managing editor of The Whiskey Wash. In recognition of her talent, Margarett received the Alan Lodge Young Drinks Writer of the Year award in 2017 and was awarded fellowships for the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers in 2017 and 2019.

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