Woodrows Arran 28yo Cask #172 & Woodrows Mortlach 11yo Cask #300231

Woodrows Arran 28yo Cask #172

Region: Highlands

ABV: 56.9%

Price: £280.00

Distilled on the 10th of February 1997, this release was matured in a refill sherry hogshead. It was bottled on the 5th of March 2025, with a total of 222 bottles released.

Nose

The nose opens with old, well polished oak furniture, light peach and apple aromas, lime leaf, fizzy Haribo sweeties, milk chocolate coated hazelnuts and floral honeysuckle. As the nose develops, more of an orchard fruitiness comes to the fore, alongside toffee pennies, raspberry jam and a real warehouse mustiness that can be found underneath, giving some depth and helps showcase the age of the dram. There's a bit more alcohol on the nose than we were expecting for the age however it doesn't detract from the enjoyment of the dram.

Palate

The palate opens with a burst of fruit, watermelon, peach rings, apple slices, lime cordial initially, moving into a warmer, slightly richer latter palate comprising of leather, coffee revels, clove and a little grapefruit. There's a real sour-apple candy flavour that also continues into the finish which lasts for a good length of time. The mouthfeel is nice, it's got a sugar syrup-like texture, and as the palate develops, we get more sweet coconut confectionary.

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose has a little more sherry influence, we're finding more chocolate in the form of cocoa powder, butterscotch, alongside a handful of walnuts. Behind this sits the peach, nectarine and apple fruitiness that was found before. Some of the spice has mellowed, and it's still a very pleasant experience to nose.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate maintains the sugar syrup-like texture, but follows in the path of the reduced nose with a richer, caramel and vanilla forward flavour. We're also getting chocolate buttons, a little menthol, wholemeal crackers with some apple chutney on the side. A bit richer, even a touch of salt, but still with a lingering sweetness.

Conclusion

On paper this is a cracker, full maturation refill sherried Arran from the early years of the distillery - and fortunately it doesn't disappoint. It's well aged, full of fruity Arran character with only the faintest hint of sherry to give it a little bit of a difference. The nose is a tad peppery for us, but we're nit-picking really.

Score: 8.5/10

Value

Competitively priced for the age and distillery.

Woodrows Mortlach 11yo Cask #300231

Region: Speyside

ABV: 55.5%

Price: £98.00

Distilled on 22nd January 2012, this release was initially matured in a refill bourbon hogshead before being transferred to a refill PX hogshead for a three-year finish. It was bottled on 19th November 2024, with a total of 256 bottles released.

Nose

The nose opens with a host of PX aromas, lots of dark fruits, blackcurrants, dark cherry, torched figs, molasses, a little charred pizza dough, dates, and some cracked black pepper spice. There’s a definite heavy spirit behind the cask, the nose has a heft behind it, and as it develops we’re finding cured venison, blueberry muffins and chocolate sponge cake. There’s also a slight sour note, pickled walnuts or sweetened picked onions perhaps. 

Palate

The palate has a mouth coating, oily texture, opening with dark cherry liqueur, chocolate coated almonds, hazelnut spread, malted bread, cola bottle sweets, and plum jam. There’s lots more dark fruits that appear as the palate develops, red currants and blackberries, moving into clove spice as the dram moves into the finish. The finish lasts for quite a while, with light coffee bitterness and a hint of raspberry coulis. The heavier Mortlach spirit manages to stand up well to the PX cask, and still manages to give some more savoury, slightly meaty flavours to combat the sherried sweetness. The alcohol is well balanced and there’s little alcohol bite coming through for us. 

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose feels less intense, but in a spirit flats way, some of the more dominant sweet PX aromas have receded and we’re getting some lavender, olive oil, roasted meats and goji berry. It’s a lot more savoury, some may enjoy that profile - for us it’s quite interesting. 

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate has more dried spices, cinnamon, brown sugar, profiteroles, again the palate has lost a lot of the dominating dark fruits and the original bourbon cask feels like it’s peering through. Still well balanced with a good mouth coating texture. 

Conclusion

A very well done sherry finish, the PX takes centre stage without a doubt, but there’s enough of the heavy Mortlach spirit to stand up to it. It’s one that needs a little time to open up, but it rewards those who wait.

Score: 8/10

Value

On the pricier side for an 11-year-old Mortlach, but we’d imagine the cask itself didn’t come cheap.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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