Island
The Islands sub-region is noticeable for punching above its weight in well known malts, until recently it only included seven distilleries across the islands of Arran, Jura, Lewis (Abhainn Dearg), Mull (Tobermory), Orkney (Highland Park & Scapa Flow) and Skye (Talisker).
We are delighted to be welcoming the Isle of Arran Distillery www.arranwhisky.com to the Harrow Whisky Festival with some special malts. Arran was one of the first of the newer distilleries to establish, on a smaller scale and with a clear independent streak. The distillery was established in 1993 in a stunning location, overlooking the bay and castle at Lochranza. The distillery was also taking advantage of an ideal water source. Earlier distilleries on the island, which had long since closed, were at the southern end of Arran.
One of our senior Whisky Scouts was fortunate to visit Lochranza by charter boat, shortly after it opened, mooring in the bay at Lochranza meant the distillery was just a short walk away. Behind the distillery you have the mountains on the northern side of Arran including the highest ‘Goat Fell’. The Isle of Arran is often referred to as Scotland in miniature as it is divided by the Highland fault line, with mountains to the north and lowlands to the south.
Arran distillery was quick to adopt a range of different finishes which helped establish and widen the brand appeal. The first secondary finish was Calvados cask based and appeared in 2003. The name ‘Robert Burns Single Malt’ has been used and ‘Machrie Moor’ is named after a peat bog area on the Western side of Arran.
