Arran Rum Finish v2018

The Rum Finish Small Batch has appeared periodically in the Arran release calendar as part of the wider Small Batch programme. Each iteration is a separate vatting from the available Rum Finish casks at the time of release, with the version designation distinguishing successive batches. The 2018 version follows the same template as earlier Rum Finish releases but with a fresh selection of casks from the working warehouse inventory at the time.

Primary maturation runs in ex Bourbon American oak barrels at Lochranza, with secondary finishing in ex rum casks previously used for Caribbean rum ageing. The exact rum origin varies across casks within the batch. Bottled at 46% without chill filtration and without added colour.

Rum cask finishing contributes residual molasses derived sugars and the long ester chain compounds developed during tropical rum ageing. Caribbean rum maturation typically runs hotter and faster than Scotch whisky maturation, with elevated rates of ester development and a particular concentration of the heavier acetate and octanoate compounds. These transfer through the secondary maturation to layer onto the Arran spirit, producing a fuller tropical fruit and brown sugar register over the original Bourbon underlay.