Arran Quarter Cask

The Bothy Quarter Cask was first released by Isle of Arran Distillers in October 2015 as a limited edition of 12,000 bottles under the leadership of Master Distiller James MacTaggart. Strong demand drove subsequent batches and the expression was promoted to the permanent core range in autumn 2019 as part of the wider rebrand that accompanied the opening of Lagg distillery. The Bothy name references the modest stone shelters common across the highlands and islands, with smaller casks being a feature of the eighteenth and nineteenth century Arran whisky trade due to easier handling on the island terrain.

Spirit is matured for approximately seven years in first fill ex Bourbon barrels before being transferred into 125 litre quarter casks of fresh American oak for a further two years of finishing. The quarter cask format has roughly double the surface area to volume ratio of a standard ASB, which significantly accelerates the rate of oak extraction during the secondary phase. Bottling is at the natural strength of 56.2% with no chill filtration and no colouring added.

The accelerated wood contact in the quarter cask drives rapid leaching of vanillin and whisky lactones from the new American oak, while the smaller cask volume increases the relative rate of evaporative concentration and oxygen exchange. This concentrates the existing fruit ester load while overlaying a fresh layer of oak spice, peppery aldehydes and toasted coconut compounds. Flavour profile: citric, fresh fruit, vanilla, honey, dried fruit, hay like.