Arran 10 years

Score: 60

Arran 10 is a whisky that punches well above its weight. In its initial tasting, it stole the show, earning top marks and winning over the room with its balance, richness, and sheer drinkability. A club winner for the evening, and rightly so. What sets this entry-level malt apart is its density and complexity on the nose, layers of citrus, malt, and orchard fruit that feel far more refined than its price tag suggests. The palate follows with a surprisingly decent body, offering warmth, sweetness, and a gentle spice that makes it both accessible and rewarding. It’s the kind of whisky you recommend to someone just getting into the world of single malts, and the kind you keep on your own shelf for easy enjoyment. But when it returned for the Champion of Champions 2019, facing off against the best of the best, Arran 10 came in 6th. It wasn’t a failure, it was context. Against older, bolder, and more complex drams, its subtle charm couldn’t quite compete. Yet it held its head high, reminding everyone that quality doesn’t always need age or prestige. Arran 10 remains a club favourite, not for fireworks, but for consistency, character, and the kind of quiet excellence that builds lifelong whisky drinkers.