The Special Reserve

Amidst the sound and fury of last year, we released the 2020 vintage of our Arran Milestone Special Reserve. Thanks to our friends at the Lochranza Distillery, our 6% ABV Milestone Strong Ale spent a few months maturing in delicious whisky casks while 2020 went from bad to worse. Lochranza’s Single Malt is a deliciously smooth and complex whisky, which is complimented by the rich vanilla and caramel flavours of the bourbon barrels it’s aged in. So it stands to reason that delicious casks from delicious whisky would make delicious beer! Deliciously.

Barrel aging beer is a tricky business – thankfully, our team here at the Brewery have pulled off a particularly exceptional iteration this year.

Milestone is perfect for barrel aging – the base beer is extremely rich and complex, full of dark stone fruits, honeyed grains and earthy hop flavours. Finally, at 6% ABV, it’s robust enough to survive the experience.

The Special Reserve bottling is a truly special beer. The sweet caramel and vanilla flavours from the whisky barrel are deftly balanced with the rich bitterness and floral aromas of the Milestone Ale. Each bottle was hand filled, and sealed with a champagne style cage & foil. Limited to a release of only 350 bottles, it really is something to savour.

Normally we’d say that this is a beer for sharing with friends and family, and for collecting if you’re so inclined. Maybe this year’s release is one to hold on to – and when the time is right, to drink as a toast to better days.

            Cheers!

            - Craig