The Islands Whisky Region: Part 4

Arran

In my last three Blog entries, we have taken a tour of the Islands Whisky Region with a focus on the Orkneys, Jura and Skye. In this fourth and final look at the Islands Whisky region, I am zooming in on Arran. But the Islands Region does cover additional wonderful up and coming Island whisky sources such as Harris. But I will cover new distilleries in a later Blog entry. As you know by now, I subscribe to the six region categorisation of Scottish Whisky; Highlands, Lowlands, Speyside, Campbeltown, Islay and Islands. With over 800 islands around the mainland of Scotland they would all have had distilleries at some time or other. Mosly illicit! 

About Arran

Some History, Some Facts

The Isle of Arran (or simply Arran) is the largest island in the Firth of Clyde and the seventh-largest Scottish island, at 432 square kilometres. It has a resident population of 4,629. But receives over 100,000 visitors every year all in search of whisky, golf and glorious scenery. It is often referred to as "Scotland in Miniature" as it has a bit of everywhere in Scotland. The island is divided into highland and lowland areas by the Highland Boundary Fault and has been described as a "geologist's paradise".

The first people on Arran to leave visible signs of their life and times here were the Neolithic people, who lived on the island in the period between 4500BC and 2000BC. They were farmers, and traces of their field systems have been found on Arran. However, they have left their most distinct legacy on Arran in the form of stone circles, standing stones and cairns. The grandeur of some of these ancient ceremonial monuments on Arran can be seen at Machrie moor, where there are six stone circles all within a short distance of each other.

In 1095 Arran came under the direct rule of Magnus III of Norway. In 1237, the Scottish isles broke away and became an independent kingdom. After the indecisive Battle of Largs between the kingdoms of Norway and Scotland in 1263, Haakon Haakonsson, King of Norway reclaimed Norwegian lordship. Following Haakon's death later that year Norway ceded the islands of western Scotland to the Scottish crown in 1266 by the Treaty of Perth.

Arran has several villages, mainly around the shoreline. Brodick (Old Norse: 'broad bay') is the site of the ferry terminal, several hotels, and the majority of shops. Brodick Castle is a seat of the Dukes of Hamilton. Lamlash, however, is the largest village on the island and in 2001 had a population of 1,010 compared to 621 for Brodick.

Arran is home to 2 distilleries - both owned and operated by The Isle of Arran Distillers. They are located on the Northern and the Southern ends of Arran.

Arran Distillery

In the North at Lochranza

The isle of Arran previously had around 50 illegal distilleries and the last legal one had closed in 1837 before Arran Distillery opened up in 1995 in Lochranza. Despite being a relative newcomer on the market, Arran has certainly made an impression, not least by being the only whisky distillery able to use the image and signature of Scottish legend Robert Burns on their packaging.

Arran Distillery was founded by Harold Currie, former director of Chivas and of House of Campbell. It remains independent. Building of the distillery started in 1994 but was halted for a short period to allow a pair of golden eagles to nest in the hills above the site. But finally, first spirit ran through the spirit safe at 2.29pm on 29th June 1995.

A Visitor Centre was opened on 9th August 1995 by the Late Queen Elizabeth II and two casks were presented to her for Princes William and Harry. These casks are still slumbering peacefully in Warehouse 1. After 3 years of maturation, the first cask of Arran Single Malt Scotch Whisky was opened on 25th July 1998 by Scottish film star Ewan McGregor. This was the first legal dram on Arran for over 160 years. Ewan also has a cask at the Distillery.

In 2007, Arran Distillery was named Scottish Distillery of the Year. Arran Whiskies are typically smooth and un-peated which may sound a little strange given the amount of peat across the island. But in 2010, the Distillery created its first peated whisky, called Machrie Moor

Interestingly, a part of the casks from Arran Distillery are stored in the warehouses of Springbank, due to a lack of room in the distillery, and the legal impossibility to extent the current warehouses at Arran distillery.

Arran Whisky is excellent value, and they have a variety of cask influenced (including sherry, port and rum) single malt whisky. Very well worth a try! Occasionally they produce a limited-edition bottle which are well worth watching out for!

Finally, Arran offers up some fine blended malts, including the one called Robbie Burns. And these are certainly worth straying from a single malt to try.

Lagg Distillery

At the Southern Tip of Arran

In 1840 the original Lagg Distillery, operating on the site of a former flax mill in the village of Lagg on the southern tip of the Isle of Arran, closed its doors due to poor management, difficulties with transportation, and competition from larger mainland distilleries.

When Arran Distillery produced its first peated whisky in 2010 (Machrie Moor) the idea of a line of peated whisky was born and with it the idea to set up a separate distillery for this purpose. And Lagg Distillery was given a new lease of life! The Isle of Arran distillers was set to build Lagg Distillery.

In the Summer of 2018, building of the distillery at Lagg in the very South of Arran started. And in March 2019, the first spirit was produced. On the 12th June, the distillery opened its doors to the public. And it has quite a following! There are already 700 members of the Lagg Whisky Society (and yes, I am one of them). And following in the path of Ewan and the late Queen, our family has a cask at Lagg which is lying and patiently waiting for our grandchildren to reach drinking age.

The first casks of Lagg whisky came of age recently and the first bottles went on sale on Saturday 17th September at 10am. I am looking forward to give it a try!!