Fifth malt in Machrie Moor collection arrives

Scotch whisky producer Isle of Arran Distillers is launching the latest in its Machrie Moor peated whisky collection, which includes the first cask strength version of the limited edition single malt.

The Machrie Moor single malt first appeared five years ago with its branding inspired by the legend of a warrior giant who tethered his dog to a stone in a mystical peat bog called Machrie Moor, which lies on the west coast of the Isle of Arran.

This month the fifth edition of Machrie Moor – the only peated Arran Malt – has been released worldwide, alongside a cask strength edition bottled at 58.4%. Both single malts are limited edition.

Isle of Arran Distillery MD Euan Mitchell says: “At Isle of Arran Distillers we are making great strides as an independent whisky producer.

“The acclaim of our various malts is exceptional and with interesting limited editions products like the Machrie Moor releases, we are able to build interest beyond our scale – and in doing so create great opportunities for the retailers we work with.

“We find that the retailers who want to offer consumers something of exceptional quality and a little different are delighted to partner with us.”

Master distiller James MacTaggart says: “When we first created Machrie Moor, we wanted to create a drink which kept the character and taste of Arran that our followers love but include a taste of something different with the peat flourish.

“We were blown away with the reception our first edition of Machrie Moor received which has inspired us to produce the subsequent editions and now this fifth expression.

“This time is particularly special as we are also introducing a cask strength edition of the single malt, which we are really excited about and we are confident it will prove popular with whisky fans who want to try a cask strength dram with a difference.”

Machrie Moor – The Peated Arran Malt – has hints of vanilla, fresh pineapple and citrus, with an extra punch of peat smokiness on the finish.

The cask strength edition has distinct influence of peat with notes of fresh pineapple and a caramelised bourbon cask vanilla finish.

Only 12,000 bottles of Machrie Moor Fifth Edition and just 6,000 bottles of the first edition cask strength Machrie Moor will be available when they go on sale today - October 6th.

Euan adds: “Our followers have come to know and love Machrie Moor over the last five years for its distinctive taste and we are hopeful that whisky lovers will respond just as well to the new cask strength edition which is really something special.”

The releases will be available to all Arran key markets worldwide including UK, France, Germany, US, Russia and Japan.

Machrie Moor – The Peated Arran Malt (46% abv) has an RRP of £41.99 while Machrie Moor Cask Strength Single Malt (58.4%) has an RRP of £49.99. Both are available from www.arranwhisky.com and specialist whisky shops.

6 October 2014 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor