Arran Montepulciano

The Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wine of southeastern Tuscany is produced primarily from the Prugnolo Gentile clone of Sangiovese alongside smaller proportions of Canaiolo and other permitted varieties, with a minimum two years of oak ageing required under the DOCG production rules. Casks from Montepulciano producers are rare in the Scotch cask finishing market, making this Arran release one of the more individual wine cask choices in the distillery's catalogue. Released in 2005 for the German market through the Limited Edition programme.

Primary maturation runs in first fill ex Bourbon American oak barrels at Lochranza, with secondary finishing in ex Vino Nobile di Montepulciano casks. The casks are typically Slavonian or French oak constructed in the Italian wine tradition, with the original wine having aged in the cask for the regulatory minimum before transfer to the spirit programme. Bottled at 56.9% without chill filtration and without added colour.

Sangiovese based wine cask residue delivers a particular flavour signature derived from the cherry and red plum ester compounds characteristic of the variety, alongside the structured tannins from extended French oak contact. The combination with the Bourbon underlay produces a layered dark cherry, dried fruit and gentle drying tannic profile, with the Arran spirit signature underneath supplying the citric and fresh fruit foundation.