Arran has always been a fine place to make good whisky, but when quantity was prized over quality the wee island couldn’t compete economically, and one by one the distilleries fell into disuse. Isle of Arran Distillers revived the tradition when they built their new distillery in Lochranza, at the north end of the island. When a three-year old cask was opened on 25th July 1998, their guests enjoyed the first legal dram of Arran whisky in over 160 years.

They now produce a range of ages and expressions, but all are made using the same traditional methods and materials. Arran always use all-Scottish barley and the washbacks - large wooden vessels used for fermentation - are crafted from Oregon pine. Distillation takes place in tall, swan-necked copper stills and their whisky matures in carefully-chosen oak casks that have previously held Sherry, Bourbon and other noble liquors. Even today, about 2% of the spirit escapes through the porous wood each year, providing the angels with their famous share….