Arran 26 Year Old Cooper's Gold 49.2% 70cl

Arran single malt Scotch whisky comes from the Isle of Arran, often described as “Scotland in miniature” for its diverse landscapes, and is crafted at the Isle of Arran Distillery in Lochranza. Founded in 1995, the distillery marked the island’s first legal whisky production in over 150 years, reviving a tradition that had been lost since the 19th century.

Arran’s location, off Scotland’s west coast in the Firth of Clyde, provides a unique environment for whisky-making. The island’s natural resources, particularly its pure Loch na Davie water, are key to its clean, vibrant spirit. The relatively mild maritime climate, influenced by the Gulf Stream, offers ideal maturation conditions, with gentle temperature fluctuations that allow for steady ageing in oak casks.

Distillation and Style

The distillery’s copper pot stills produce a light, fruity new make spirit, known for its freshness and elegance. Fermentation is relatively long, allowing for the development of delicate esters that translate into orchard fruit and floral notes in the whisky. Arran typically bottles without chill filtration and with natural colour, preserving both texture and authenticity.

While the core range is unpeated, Arran has also explored lightly peated expressions under the Machrie Moor label, named after a local peat bog steeped in island folklore.

Maturation

Arran matures its whisky in a variety of cask types, including ex-bourbon barrels, sherry butts, and more experimental finishes such as Amarone, Sauternes, and Port. The distillery’s cask selection policy prioritises quality over quantity, and careful blending ensures each expression maintains Arran’s bright, approachable house style.

Flavour Profile

Arran’s signature style is fruity, malty, and fresh, with notes of apple, pear, citrus zest, honey, and vanilla, underpinned by a creamy texture. Sherry cask maturations bring richer dried fruit and spice, while wine finishes can add red berries, apricot, or floral tones. Peated releases balance gentle smoke with the same bright fruit core.

Expansion and Innovation

In 2019, the company opened a second distillery at Lagg, in the south of the island, dedicated to producing heavily peated whisky. This allows the Lochranza site to focus on its unpeated and lightly peated styles while Lagg develops its own identity.

Our Arran selection captures the diversity and charm of this island distillery, from its approachable core range to rare single cask releases and experimental finishes. Whether you’re seeking a bright, fruit-forward malt for everyday enjoyment or a unique limited edition for your collection, Arran delivers the best of modern island whisky-making, approachable yet distinctive, rooted in tradition yet unafraid to innovate.