As such, the distillery has become a tourist attraction and receives more than 100,000 visitors per year. The Machrie Moor 10 and the Arran 10 that I’ll review here were both distilled around 2011 in the same stills.

The Isle of Arran distillers is one of the few remaining independent Scotch producers, and though young in age, has quickly grown into a popular brand among whisky enthusiasts. As you say, it is less a question of a whisky’s particular terroir, more the sense of places we carry with us. Perhaps it’s the boat trip; always seems a very definite departure from the norm (or at least my norm).

The Service has been prepared by us solely for information purposes to Members and the Service is based on information we consider reliable and we obtain the contents of the Service from a number of different third party sources (including Contributions), but we do not endorse, support, represent, warrant or guarantee the completeness, truthfulness, accuracy, or reliability of the Services and any information therein.

The palate has the typical orchard fruits of Arran coming to the fore over a layer of toasted brioche and red berries before an intriguing finish of citrus, smoke, chocolate, vanilla and coconut.Bottled at 46% without chill filtration or added colouring, this peated Arran Single Malt displays all the freshness of our island house style, with an added puff of smoke and earthiness. And back to Malt where, as is the lot of the reviewer, I must amputate all sentiment, and judge Machrie Moor against its peers. This peated Arran Single Malt displays all the freshness of the classic island house style, with an added puff of smoke and earthiness. A robust dram with the typical orchard fruits of Arran coming to the fore over a layer of toasted brioche and red berries. I have developed a bit of a soft spot for Arran over the past few months – they produce consistently good drams, aren’t averse to trying a wide array of cask maturations and finishes, and are one of the few distilleries in the past year to receive (mainly) positive feedback from the demanding whisky community on their rebranding and new bottle design.

So, both whiskies do have certain things in common, but I would never have guessed they were from the same distillery if I had savoured them in a blind tasting. Furthermore, we may (without prior notice and without giving reasons) change, delete or alter any Contributions, whether in whole or in part, that in our sole judgment and discretion violates these Terms, is unlawful, is in any way harmful to you, Members, us, the Service or any third parties.No partnership, joint venture, agency, or employment relationship is created as a result of your use of the Service. Nose: Rich sweet spiced notes from a well matured Arran Single Malt, backed with the strength of peat smoke and ripe citrus fruits. Full disclosure: I have purchased bottles of both whiskies for this review and shared them with other members of my whisky group. They taste of Scotland, more obviously than even Cognac tastes of its region or the best Tequila of its mountain soil.