A dynamic new force in the scotch whisky industry, Isle of Arran Distillers, is one of the few remaining independent distilleries in Scotland. Based at Lochranza on the Isle of Arran, one
of the most beautiful and famous islands in Scotland. Arran is a unique island known as 'Scotland in Miniature', for it has all of the scenery of Scotland, with mountains and lowlands, glens, lochs and royal castles (including one at Lochranza).
Arran was also chosen because of its long heritage of distilling. In 1793 there were three distilleries on Arran plus - at best estimate - 50 more illicit ones. Whisky smuggling was a major industry and conflict with excisemen a frequent occupational hazard. As late as 1817 two men and a woman were shot and killed on Arran by excisemen while smuggling whisky. The malt from Arran was
shipped to the mainland and enjoyed by the gentry who regularly "took the Arran waters". It was acclaimed at the time as the best in Scotland, only rivalled by those from the 'Glen of Livet'.
A change in the law in 1823 made legal distilling a much more attractive proposition and Arran's illicit stills died out: sadly, though, the island's legal distillers then found themselves unable to compete with the lower transport costs of the many new distillers in places like Campbeltown, where no fewer than 34 distilleries were established, and the Arran's last distillery, at Lagg, closed in 1836. It was this long if rather turbulent heritage which the Isle of Arran Distillery started to revive in 1995.
Following a survey by the Geology Department of Glasgow University, the owner was advised to open his new Distillery on Arran for three reasons:
1. They had found the purest water supply in all of Scotland at Loch na Davie, high in the hills that overlook the village of Lochranza on the North coast of Arran.
2. Arran is washed by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream and enjoys a microclimate - ideal for the speedy maturation of single malt whiskies.
3. As already stated, the Island historically enjoyed a reputation for producing top quality - if mostly illegal - whisky.
In 1995 the new Arran distillery was opened in one of the most beautiful locations in Scotland. Only the traditional methods of distilling are used, with wooden washbacks and copper stills designed to exact specification. The location offers perfect water for whisky production, cleansed
by granite and softened by peat as it comes down from the mountain above. The atmosphere of sea breezes and clear mountain air together with the warm flow of the Gulf Stream matures the Arran Malt to perfection in earth floored warehouses.
The well designed Visitors Centre was opened in 1997 by...
HM the QUEEN
Let's join this tour!
mm mmm mm...
ah-ha!
okay!
sooo...
this
is
how
the Arran
island magic
wait to taste a wee dram of some
that has already been though this loooong crucial ageing process
so be careful mate...be very, verrrry careful!!
whisky fit for a Prince...or two.
the award winning retaurant with display area below
Whisky author and expert, Jim Murray, was on hand when the 12 year-old was finally unveiled. Mr.Murray is not known for mincing his words or flattery. He said: "I taste over 1,000 new whiskies a year and do not give awards just because I know people." It was with some amount of trepidation that the drams were poured and we waited to see whether or not it would receive the thumbs up or the thumbs down. Jim came up with a score of 91 for the 12 year-old, which was very good news indeed to all of those involved in producing the great stuff!
After being presented with a bottle of limited edition, 10 year old Robert Burns Single Malt Scotch Whisky by local MSP Kenneth Gibson on behalf of Isle of Arran Distillers, the Scottish Government's First Minister, Rt. Hon Alex Salmond MSP MP, said: "I am delighted to receive this beautifully presented bottle of Robert Burns Homecoming whisky from Arran, renowned for the quality of its award winning products. The Year of Homecoming is very important to the Scottish Government and Scotland. Robert Burns is the inspiration and his 250th birthday will be toasted with this specially produced Homecoming whisky from Arran. This whisky will be my tipple of choice for 2009 and distinguished visitors will be offered a dram."
SLAINTE!
I'll be baaaaaack!
* * * * * * * * * *
of the most beautiful and famous islands in Scotland. Arran is a unique island known as 'Scotland in Miniature', for it has all of the scenery of Scotland, with mountains and lowlands, glens, lochs and royal castles (including one at Lochranza).Arran was also chosen because of its long heritage of distilling. In 1793 there were three distilleries on Arran plus - at best estimate - 50 more illicit ones. Whisky smuggling was a major industry and conflict with excisemen a frequent occupational hazard. As late as 1817 two men and a woman were shot and killed on Arran by excisemen while smuggling whisky. The malt from Arran was
shipped to the mainland and enjoyed by the gentry who regularly "took the Arran waters". It was acclaimed at the time as the best in Scotland, only rivalled by those from the 'Glen of Livet'.A change in the law in 1823 made legal distilling a much more attractive proposition and Arran's illicit stills died out: sadly, though, the island's legal distillers then found themselves unable to compete with the lower transport costs of the many new distillers in places like Campbeltown, where no fewer than 34 distilleries were established, and the Arran's last distillery, at Lagg, closed in 1836. It was this long if rather turbulent heritage which the Isle of Arran Distillery started to revive in 1995.
Following a survey by the Geology Department of Glasgow University, the owner was advised to open his new Distillery on Arran for three reasons:1. They had found the purest water supply in all of Scotland at Loch na Davie, high in the hills that overlook the village of Lochranza on the North coast of Arran.
2. Arran is washed by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream and enjoys a microclimate - ideal for the speedy maturation of single malt whiskies.
3. As already stated, the Island historically enjoyed a reputation for producing top quality - if mostly illegal - whisky.
In 1995 the new Arran distillery was opened in one of the most beautiful locations in Scotland. Only the traditional methods of distilling are used, with wooden washbacks and copper stills designed to exact specification. The location offers perfect water for whisky production, cleansed
by granite and softened by peat as it comes down from the mountain above. The atmosphere of sea breezes and clear mountain air together with the warm flow of the Gulf Stream matures the Arran Malt to perfection in earth floored warehouses.
The well designed Visitors Centre was opened in 1997 by...
HM the QUEEN
Let's join this tour!
mm mmm mm...
ah-ha!
okay!
sooo...
this
is
how
the Arran
island magic
is
created!
can't
wait to taste a wee dram of some
that has already been though this loooong crucial ageing process
so be careful mate...be very, verrrry careful!!
whisky fit for a Prince...or two.
the award winning retaurant with display area below
Whisky author and expert, Jim Murray, was on hand when the 12 year-old was finally unveiled. Mr.Murray is not known for mincing his words or flattery. He said: "I taste over 1,000 new whiskies a year and do not give awards just because I know people." It was with some amount of trepidation that the drams were poured and we waited to see whether or not it would receive the thumbs up or the thumbs down. Jim came up with a score of 91 for the 12 year-old, which was very good news indeed to all of those involved in producing the great stuff!
After being presented with a bottle of limited edition, 10 year old Robert Burns Single Malt Scotch Whisky by local MSP Kenneth Gibson on behalf of Isle of Arran Distillers, the Scottish Government's First Minister, Rt. Hon Alex Salmond MSP MP, said: "I am delighted to receive this beautifully presented bottle of Robert Burns Homecoming whisky from Arran, renowned for the quality of its award winning products. The Year of Homecoming is very important to the Scottish Government and Scotland. Robert Burns is the inspiration and his 250th birthday will be toasted with this specially produced Homecoming whisky from Arran. This whisky will be my tipple of choice for 2009 and distinguished visitors will be offered a dram."
IT'S WHISKY GALORE...AND MORE...
IT'S WHISKY GALORE...AND MORE...
IT'S WHISKY GALORE...AND MORE...
IT'S WHISKY GALORE...AND MORE...
AT THE DISTILLERY STORE!
AT THE DISTILLERY STORE
AT THE DISTILLERY STORE!
AT THE DISTILLERY STORE!
SLAINTE!
I'll be baaaaaack!
* * * * * * * * * *
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