Arran "The Bodega" Sherry Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review - A well Balanced Sherry Bomb?

Today I review Arran "The Bodega" Sherry Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Isle of Arran Distillers. Arran has a number of wine finished or matured expressions in its current core range including Sherry, Port, Sauternes, and Amarone. "The Bodega" Sherry Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky is comprised of whisky that is at least 7 years old, and is matured entirely in first fill Oloroso Sherry seasoned American oak hogsheads. The whisky is bottled at a cask strength of 55.8% and is not chill-filtred and is natural colour. Is there such a thing as a well balanced "Sherry Bomb?" Maybe?
#scotch #whisky #singlemalt #review #whiskey
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[@alanscott6836]

Great Review. I live in Prestwick Scotland and can see Arran from our upstairs window. To my shame I've never bought a bottle of Arran Whisky yet, but will make a point of doing so now. Watch out for Whisky from the the up and coming Lochlea Distillery - here in Ayrshire. Hopefully will make its way to Canada. Still early days but nice stuff. Thanks again for a great review,

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Hi once again Alan! Being so close to Arran I think it would be fitting to rectify that. I can recommend all of Arran 10, 18 and the Bodega as well. Also, if you like peated whisky the new Lagg distillery on the south of Arran could be a lovely drop. In regards to Lochlea I've been following them closely and am very excited that they have releases comprised of their own barley. They have started showing up here in Canada so I'll have to try them soon. Thanks for the reminder! Cheers Alan 🥃

[@NoteworthyWhisky]

Great review! I just opened this one last night but so far it’s fantastic. Cheers!

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Glad you're enjoying it Sheldon, It's a good one! Cheers!

[@dgunnut6550]

Great video! I have an open bottle of Arran 10 yr. that I have been enjoying over the last few months and a bottle of The Whisky Barrel exclusive Sherry Cask waiting in the wings to crack when the 10 yr. is gone.

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Thanks! Arran 10 is such a stalwart, it never let's you down. Glad you've got that Sherry cask watching your 6 for when that Arran 10 finally empties. 😆

[@Hexagonal_Crank]

I'm in an "I'm over-sherried" phase atm, so for about the last year I've been more into the quarter cask "Bothy" than the "Bodega". I recently ordered the latest Arran 25 that's touted as less sherry forward and I'm really looking forward to trying it. Plus another special series - it just seems like the Explorers series ended so long ago, I'm ready for a new one.

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Explorers was a fun(and beautiful) series, really enjoyable. It does seem like they've taken their time following it up. That 25 I'm sure will be fantastic though. They really don't miss often. On the Sherry front, I'm a rather seasonal drinker. This past summer it was almost all ex-bourbon Imperial, Glenburgie, Daftmill, Clynelish, ect. Now it's been tough to go to anything other than Sherry or peat 🤷‍♂️ Who knew I was so basic?😅

[@sandymacdonald8485]

Nice review. I enjoy the Arran sherry but I prefer Glenallachie 10 CS. Have a good new year.

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Your clairvoyant mention of G.A. 10 CS is as if you've already predicted one of my next reviews :) Happy New Year to you too Sandy.

[@robertarbuckle8493]

I've got the Amarone cask...Will be trying it on New Year's eve...or Hogmanay as we say here in Scotland

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Sounds like a good plan. Lang may your lum reak, Robert! Hope you enjoy that Amarone cask. Let me know what you think of it.

[@robertarbuckle8493]

@@whiskyonthewestcoast Happy New year Matt, The Arran Amarone Cask was really nice. Unusual colour, almost a pink tinge, a bit like Glenmorangie Qunita Ruban.....as for the taste, very smooth. Sweet and chocolatey...hints of honey too

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Sounds like it was up to the occasion! When I opened mine the first thing I noticed was that distinctive rose gold colouration. Quite the look!

[@robertarbuckle8493]

@Whisky on the West Coast trying to build up my collection. Up to about 10 now plus about 20 little miniatures that I got in a malt whisky Advent calendar. Going to go for the glenallachie 10 ...hopefully pick up in airport on way to Toronto at the end of this month. Slainthe

[@j.k.8537]

Nice review! I picked up a couple bottles of this in Calgary last fall for 62$ each……only because I knew it wouldn’t stay cheap for long knowing what it’s rivals sell for ;)

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Very smart "3D chess" move. I should have purchased a back up like you did. Probably should get on that before the price continues to ascend further.

[@edgewalker7459]

Good review , this one of the only arrans I have not tried yet ,, need to give it a try , I really enjoyed the Sauternes and quarter cask a bit hot but it’s cask strength and great with a touch of water ,,I just finished a 1996 25 year old bourbon cask private cask , sweet malty stunning whisky ,,I have been trying to drink it slowly to make it last sadly it’s gone now and I don’t think I will be able to afford another one at the price ,, the 18 is almost the perfect whisky for me

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

That Private cask sounds astounding. All the Private casks I've had have been stellar, including an ex-bourbon like yours. Big believer in this distillery, and as you mention, the 18 is what I'd consider the best of the core range. Fair price + great delivery = real value.

[@ironmantran]

Another great vid. Arran does everything right ! THis "mild mannered" Bodega (Ontario 97$CA) is not as punchy as Abunadh 61%, not thick & syrupy like Tamdhu 57%, ... but it has everything in moderation. --- Arran AMARONE 50% is amazing at 82 $CA in Ontario. . . . Way back in in 2004-2005 , Ontario saw alot of Single Cask 55-62% abv for 75$-80$CA to celebrate circa 1996 Opening . . . now in 2023, Ontario has the WORST selection of all Provinces - but - at least, prices may still be 10% cheaper than BC...

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Good prices but your selection is dire in Ontario. Do not envy you. Sad to see it go from a good situation in the 2000's to this. And yeah, balance is the name of the game with this Bodega, very well done.

[@jerrymiller2332]

Sonics hat here, Canucks hat in another, absolutely love it! Anyway, curious as to where you get your bottles. Hard to find Arran in Washington but with a Canadian wife I'm frequently in BC. Any recommendations would be appreciated. And it should be pointed out that your videos are very, very good and we were glad to come across your channel!

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Hey, thanks for the kind words about the videos. We need the Sonics back, in due time I suppose. I noticed that there was no mention of the Whitecaps hat 😅 I've always loved the away games against the Sounders at the Clink(whatever it's called now, Lumen?) On where to get Arran, they seem to be carried in a good number of private store in B.C. Jaks(which has a website) sells alot of Arran products including The Bodega. That said I got my bottle from Alberta so it was half the cost :/ Still Angry Otter on 248th in Aldergrove( near the border at least!) has the 10, 18, Bodega, Quarter Cask and maybe a few more. Good luck bottle chasing!

[@dribsanddrams]

I reviewed this uh… last year, I think? This was the dram that made me non Sherry-averse. I’ve been going through the bottle as slowly as possible because I’ll have to order from Alberta once it’s gone. This past year, I did the Port Cask, which was also delish. I’ve had the 10 as well, but the old bottle. I’ve heard that they tweaked the juice a bit when they changed the bottle. Looking forward to going a comparison at some point.

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

I'm sad to see mine go too for the same reason, YYC abides. The 10 and 18 both did change so that comparison would be very intriguing. I'll have to try that Port Cask.

[@cookieMonsterSincho]

Great review sir! Have you tried the remnant renegade?

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Thanks for watching and the comment! I haven't tried it yet, and it's all sold out near me now... but... I have a sample I may review. Have you tried it yet? Cheers 🥃

[@cookieMonsterSincho]

@@whiskyonthewestcoast bought a bottle, and i have sample that i wil receive in a couple of days. very excited about this one Cheers !!!!