Arran’s Devil’s Punchbowl III “The Fiendish Finale” – 53.4% ABV
Info: This final bottling rounds off the trilogy in great style. It’s a multi-age blend matured in Oloroso Sherry Butts and French Oak Barrique casks which gives the spirit a devilishly unique, deep flavour. 6,660 bottles available worldwide, 840 in the UK.
Colour: Light bright clear gold.
Nose: Abundant with malt, light, ozoney, almost a drop of coastal air / slight saltiness. There’s a faint nuttyness from the sherry, and a creaminess from the French Oak… overall the nose is just very slightly closed, I think a drop of water would help open it up.
Palate: Amazingly palatable at full strength, it’s fairly thick and warm to hot on your palate, with sweetness washing around your mouth nicely. There’s a slight grassiness intermingling with light sherry sweetness and the cream you found on the nose.
Finish: The finish is gently warming and fairly long, sweet malt lingers for a good long while. There’s a nice oaky backdrop that pulls everything together but isn’t bitter.
Water: Opens up the nose a little, but actually brings out more tannins than sweetness for me and introduces some citrus orange. On the palate however it smooths things out really nicely bringing out a buttery edge that is pleasing; a drop of water in my mind is definitely recommended.
Thoughts: Obviously a well crafted and top quality dram, well done to Arran. For around £78 at this strength it doesn’t seem bad value at all. What will Arran produce next?!
Available: Sold out pretty much instantly, probably only available at auction now.
To read my review of Devil’s Punchbowl II please click here.
Thanks to Arran for the sample.
