Arran Connoisseurs Choice - Cask Strength 1996 22 Years Single Malt Whisky

Whiskyspace Notes 1261

May 27, 2026, 10:14:58

Big, rich dram this one 🥃 Loads of walnut, pecan and marzipan, then fig jam, fruitcake and Christmas pud vibes. Bit of dark chocolate, marmalade and sweet stout too. Feels proper cask strength: warm, heavy, long, with a nutty sherry cask thing going on. A wee earthy cigar edge at the end. Cosy but quite intense.

Beth Campbell

May 27, 2026, 04:59:53

Oof, this one’s absolutely bloody gorgeous. Deep gold colour in the glass, and the nose is just layers upon layers – first hit is rich fig cake and dark chocolate, then it moves into this lovely spiced Christmas pudding vibe with tonnes of walnuts and a hint of something like nocino. On the palate, wow, it’s cask strength alright but so well integrated. Think sweet stout meets marmalade, with heavy marzipan and black nougat rolling around. There’s a real fruit wine character underneath, maybe pear cake or that crazy fruitcake feeling, all wrapped up in tobacco and a bit of allspice. Finish is long and warming, brings back the cigar and ex-refill sherry oak notes, with a final flourish of fig jam and what I can only describe as a yoghurt-like creaminess. Just a proper rich, festive dram. 🥃

Yvonne Lloyd

May 21, 2026, 21:00:57

Soft and cosy dram, bit of honey, oak and a wee spicy kick 🥃 Feels warming, easy-going, with a dry-ish finish. Nice for a quiet evening, honestly.

Faye Turner

May 20, 2026, 03:01:08

Quite a cosy dram, this. I get soft caramel, a bit of vanilla, some orchard fruit and a wee touch of spice. Feels warm and rounded, with a gentle oaky finish 😊 Easy to sip, not too shouty — just nicely comforting.

Joe Watson

May 14, 2026, 13:52:45

Right then, let’s have a wee go at this dram 🥃 Nose on it is pure honey’d vanilla and stewed orchard fruits — think pears and a touch of baked apple 🍐🍏. Gets a bit of that custard cream biscuit vibe too. Palatte’s smooth as silk, creamy almost. There’s a lovely warm spice kick, cinnamon and nutmeg, wi’ a whisper of oak char. Not a smokey beast, just a gentle wisp at the back 🕯️ Finish is medium, leaves a soft tingling spice and a slight nuttiness. Maybe a tad sweet for a proper peat head, but honestly it’s right up my street. Cracking stuff.