Arran 1996 24 Years - Ralph Steadman X Cask 88
Whisky is art - this sentence is more than just an empty phrase when it comes to the exclusive Ralph Steadman Collection from Cask 88. Not only is matured Scotch bottled here, but a piece of creative expression is brought into the bottle at the same time. Each bottling in the series features hand-drawn artwork by the legendary artist Ralph Steadman. The Arran is about the distilling process and the introduction of the spirit safe: "The application of intense heat to a complex chemical concoction is an indispensable process essential to whisky making. A critical moment in its history in Scotland was the introduction of spirit safes, a physical lock to protect against widespread excise avoidance."
Tasting Notes
Nose
The first impression? Heavy and sweet - but by no means bold. It is a nose that needs space and deserves respect. A dense sherry flavour fills the room, dominated by sultanas and dates. Underneath lies a delicate, almost melancholic fruitiness: candied red apple, morello cherries, a hint of forest honey. Leather brings substance, grounding, history. This is not a beginner's whisky - but something with depth, with time.
Palate
At first sip, there is a creamy softness, almost buttery. And then - a brief moment of surprise: the mouthfeel is somewhat thinner than expected. Not a disadvantage, but a surprise. What follows is a quiet blossoming: a spicy, almost crisp texture, then a lovely fruity-sweet phase. Sultanas, dates again, then a delicate hint of wineiness - as if you were thinking of dark port for a moment. And then comes the unexpected: salted caramel. Not loud, but there. Like a final bar in an almost fading melody.
Finish
The finish is long. Not in volume, but in resonance. The oak appears late, but firmly. Spice builds up - fine notes of gingerbread, speculoos, a wintery warmth. No smoke, no spiciness. Instead: structure, memory, reverberation.
Thoughts
Marcel 91/100
This Arran isn’t a loud firecracker but rather a refined companion that impresses with plenty of character and a profound aromatic depth. It surprises with its gentle elegance and invites you to savor and explore – a whisky that doesn’t shout but whispers, winning your heart in the process.
Sascha 89/100
Technically, the Arran 1996 is impressive with a remarkable balance between sweet sherry notes and spicy oak, even though the mouthfeel remains surprisingly light. Its complex structure and long, multi-layered finish showcase precise craftsmanship, making it an exciting representative of the Isle of Arran with a solid maturation profile.
Value for Money: No rating
Discover our value for money winnersThis product was kindly provided to us by Cask 88. This does not influence our rating. No payments or other benefits were received in exchange for this provision.
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85/100Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Ralph Steadman X Cask 88 bottling of the Arran 1996 24 years special?
This bottling combines matured Scotch with art: each bottle features a hand-drawn artwork by the artist Ralph Steadman. Additionally, the whisky is a 24-years single malt from the Isle of Arran, bottled by Cask 88 at 44.7% ABV.
How does the long maturation of 24 years influence the taste of this Arran whisky?
The 24-year maturation imparts a rich sherry character with aromas of raisins, dates, and candied apple. The oak reveals itself subtly in the long finish with spicy notes reminiscent of gingerbread and speculoos, while the texture remains creamy yet surprisingly light.
Why is the spirit safe historically important for whisky production, as highlighted in the artwork?
The spirit safe was introduced to protect whisky production from tax evasion. It allows the distillation process to be monitored without directly handling the whisky. This was a crucial step for the legalization and quality assurance of Scottish whiskies.