Interesting...I very often hesitated to buy the old version of it (while I loved its packaging), and can't say too much about it as I tried them (the old & new) only once in shows. But frankly I'm staying away from the brand lately because I realized that the 9 bottles I have (all different expressions) weren't, for those opened, necessarily evolving well in my place preservation wise (too much temperature/moisture variation tends to "excite" the extreme elements of the whiskies & reinforce their defaults), or that some characteristics of Arran I'm not a fan of (spiciness, dryness, oakiness, bitterness) are exceeding the qualities of them I like the most (floral, fruity notes, for instance) & I tend to prefer the old nas & the 14 yo, while the old 12 yo CS is still not opened but might be the best of all probably...we'll see...I also regret the old 10 yo before the rebranding...and that 2 bottles I have as French market exclusive are not the best they released...The only rebranded expression I was really curious of was the 21 yo (blue label/blue box), but I missed a decent price purchase opportunity & I now I think they are probably better value around, especially at Indie's...we'll see..
Wow thanks for the insight Greg! I generally like the Arran profile and enjoy mostly everything I try from them. I did another old vs new on my own with the 18 and I prefer the new 18 much more. Maybe like you say you just don't get along with a certain taste profile in Arran and if so there are plenty of whiskies out there, no need to waste time with one you don't connect with. I have not tried an IB Arran, woudl be interesting to come across, cheers!
You're welcome @@thewhiskyenthusiast I might have one or two unopened Arran samples though (an 8 yo for France, and the apparently popular ltd release 12 yo Palo Cortado from a few years ago). I forgot to mention I have a bottle of the nas "Sherry Cask/The Bodega" (2019 release) which I long time struggled with (7 yo stuff, with seasoned sherry, what a difference with a full time ageing in old sherry casks it makes ! And yes it also means I should do an update & English version of my now old Arran overview (French) video I forgot to make...Indie Arran wise, they are rare & the most amazing I tried was a Fino sherried 1996 Cadenhead, a beauty ! Cheers !
Only downside to old vs new videos: no chance to get hands on an old bottle if not already owning one. I have the new bothy though and agree, very nice whisky :-)
Well yeah that is a problem but these old ones are still out there. I got myself one just last year and I actually saw one on for sale recently at the same price. I suppose it's all location dependent. It is a good whisky though, glad you like it too :)
didnt get to the old version but i very enjoy the quarter qask as it is more oaky than the normal 10 and higher abv. arran is a great distillery, but havent bought anything from them lately, always prioritised heavier character distilleries^^
I understand what you're saying by heavier character but I always find Arran a solid distillery I can rely on. Yeah maybe they're not the best of the best but never an Arran will upset me :) Thanks for your comment 🥃
Enjoyed the comparison… I enjoy all the “old” Arran’s especially the 14&18… I have an open Bothy batch 1…. In my area the “ new” Arran’s are non-existent… never seen any of their rebrands… and believe it or not some of the “olds” are still sitting on shelves. Cheers 🥃
Thanks John and I believe it. Last year I found the first 10 on a small Greek island. The whiskies are still out there if we can come across them :) Oh and I snatched myself the old 14 for 40pounds recently, now waiting for the new release to compare :)
@@justwhisky Oh wow you talking about the blue label not the purple one I assume? Yeah I've never tried that one, that is a special occasion whisky right there 😃
I found a few bottles of the old bottling (Batch 1) last summer and I really love it. I'm into the second bottle while I am still seeking out the new bottle, which I have yet to find. I'm thinking about going back soon to where I found the Batch 1and perhaps pick up another, so I can make this wonderful stuff last for another year or so until I find the new bottle. I've enjoyed everything I've tried from Arran. Cheers!
I feel and connect with everything you say 😃 I keep going back to the same shop on a small Greek island to see if they have any left then if they don't I curse myself for not getting them all when I was there😅
Interesting...I very often hesitated to buy the old version of it (while I loved its packaging), and can't say too much about it as I tried them (the old & new) only once in shows. But frankly I'm staying away from the brand lately because I realized that the 9 bottles I have (all different expressions) weren't, for those opened, necessarily evolving well in my place preservation wise (too much temperature/moisture variation tends to "excite" the extreme elements of the whiskies & reinforce their defaults), or that some characteristics of Arran I'm not a fan of (spiciness, dryness, oakiness, bitterness) are exceeding the qualities of them I like the most (floral, fruity notes, for instance) & I tend to prefer the old nas & the 14 yo, while the old 12 yo CS is still not opened but might be the best of all probably...we'll see...I also regret the old 10 yo before the rebranding...and that 2 bottles I have as French market exclusive are not the best they released...The only rebranded expression I was really curious of was the 21 yo (blue label/blue box), but I missed a decent price purchase opportunity & I now I think they are probably better value around, especially at Indie's...we'll see..
Wow thanks for the insight Greg! I generally like the Arran profile and enjoy mostly everything I try from them. I did another old vs new on my own with the 18 and I prefer the new 18 much more.
Maybe like you say you just don't get along with a certain taste profile in Arran and if so there are plenty of whiskies out there, no need to waste time with one you don't connect with.
I have not tried an IB Arran, woudl be interesting to come across, cheers!
You're welcome @@thewhiskyenthusiast I might have one or two unopened Arran samples though (an 8 yo for France, and the apparently popular ltd release 12 yo Palo Cortado from a few years ago). I forgot to mention I have a bottle of the nas "Sherry Cask/The Bodega" (2019 release) which I long time struggled with (7 yo stuff, with seasoned sherry, what a difference with a full time ageing in old sherry casks it makes ! And yes it also means I should do an update & English version of my now old Arran overview (French) video I forgot to make...Indie Arran wise, they are rare & the most amazing I tried was a Fino sherried 1996 Cadenhead, a beauty ! Cheers !
Only downside to old vs new videos: no chance to get hands on an old bottle if not already owning one.
I have the new bothy though and agree, very nice whisky :-)
Well yeah that is a problem but these old ones are still out there. I got myself one just last year and I actually saw one on for sale recently at the same price. I suppose it's all location dependent. It is a good whisky though, glad you like it too :)
didnt get to the old version but i very enjoy the quarter qask as it is more oaky than the normal 10 and higher abv. arran is a great distillery, but havent bought anything from them lately, always prioritised heavier character distilleries^^
I understand what you're saying by heavier character but I always find Arran a solid distillery I can rely on. Yeah maybe they're not the best of the best but never an Arran will upset me :) Thanks for your comment 🥃
Enjoyed the comparison… I enjoy all the “old” Arran’s especially the 14&18… I have an open Bothy batch 1….
In my area the “ new” Arran’s are non-existent… never seen any of their rebrands… and believe it or not some of the “olds” are still sitting on shelves.
Cheers 🥃
Thanks John and I believe it. Last year I found the first 10 on a small Greek island. The whiskies are still out there if we can come across them :) Oh and I snatched myself the old 14 for 40pounds recently, now waiting for the new release to compare :)
@@thewhiskyenthusiast I’ve got a couple 14’s tucked away as well…. And the original OLD 14 ! Which I’ve never seen anyone talk about.
@@justwhisky Oh wow you talking about the blue label not the purple one I assume? Yeah I've never tried that one, that is a special occasion whisky right there 😃
@@thewhiskyenthusiast blueish green teal
I found a few bottles of the old bottling (Batch 1) last summer and I really love it. I'm into the second bottle while I am still seeking out the new bottle, which I have yet to find. I'm thinking about going back soon to where I found the Batch 1and perhaps pick up another, so I can make this wonderful stuff last for another year or so until I find the new bottle. I've enjoyed everything I've tried from Arran. Cheers!
I feel and connect with everything you say 😃 I keep going back to the same shop on a small Greek island to see if they have any left then if they don't I curse myself for not getting them all when I was there😅
Like your set up pal ! Nice tastefull .
Thank you glad you like it, I had it made custom :)
Lagg batch 2 is incredible.
I'm sure it is but I haven't tried it unfortunately