Arran Smugglers' Series Volume 3 The Exciseman | Arran

The Final Chapter of Arran’s Smugglers’ Series

Released in 2017, The Exciseman is the third and final volume in Arran’s Smugglers’ Series, a limited trilogy inspired by the Isle of Arran’s history of illicit distillation and whisky smuggling. Bottled at a robust 56.8% ABV, this concluding release combines maturation in Madeira casks with smaller Quarter Casks to create a rich and characterful expression of Arran single malt.

The choice of casks reflects the historical theme behind the series. Madeira casks recall vessels that reached the island through maritime trade and were associated with the movement and storage of locally produced spirit, while Quarter Casks reference the smaller barrels that were easier to transport. The result connects the whisky itself with the stories of independent distillers, smugglers and excise officers that shaped Arran’s earlier whisky history.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Rich honey and coastal freshness with ripe apple, vanilla, gentle spice and touches of toasted oak.

Palate: Full and rounded, with abundant apple and vanilla developing into increasing sweetness, while candied lemon brings a brighter citrus edge.

Finish: Long and rich yet fresh, with lingering apple and citrus balancing the whisky’s robust sweetness.

Specifications

• Classification: Scotch Whisky
• Style: Single Malt
• Region: Islands, Scotland
• Island: Arran
• Distillery: Lochranza Distillery (Arran)
• Series: Smugglers' Series
• Edition: Volume 3 – The Exciseman
• Bottled: 2017
• Age: No Age Statement
• Cask Type: Madeira Casks & Quarter Casks
• Outturn: 8,700 Bottles
• ABV: 56.8%
• Volume: 700ml
• Colouring: Natural Colour
• Chill Filtration: Non-Chill Filtered
• Bottler: Arran
• Presentation: Original Smugglers' Series Presentation Box

About the Distillery

The Isle of Arran has a whisky-making history extending well beyond its modern distillery. Numerous small stills operated across the island during the early 19th century, including illicit producers, before commercial distilling gradually disappeared. More than 150 years after the closure of the original Lagg Distillery in 1840, whisky production returned to the island with the establishment of the new distillery at Lochranza in 1994. The first spirit flowed in June 1995, beginning the modern chapter of Arran whisky.

The distillery's location at Lochranza and the island's earlier distilling traditions give releases such as the Smugglers' Series an unusually direct connection between place, whisky and history. Rather than using smuggling merely as a decorative theme, the series draws upon a period when illicit production and the movement of spirit formed a genuine part of Arran's whisky story.

About the Bottling

The Exciseman concludes Arran’s three-part Smugglers’ Series, which explored the island’s association with illicit whisky production and the attempts of distillers and smugglers to evade government excise authorities. Its Madeira and Quarter Cask maturation reinforces that historical narrative, while the elaborate book-style presentation makes each volume immediately recognisable as part of the trilogy.

Limited to 8,700 bottles and bottled at 56.8% ABV, Volume 3 marked the conclusion of the series in 2017. Its position as the final chapter gives The Exciseman particular relevance to collectors assembling the complete Smugglers’ trilogy and to enthusiasts interested in discontinued releases from Arran’s modern history.

Archive Notes

Please review all product images carefully. Minor cosmetic wear to labels, capsules, cartons, or presentation cases may be present due to age, long-term storage, or secondary-market sourcing.

Natural variation in fill level, packaging condition, and label ageing can occur and forms part of the character of mature collectible whisky.

Archive Release

Privately sourced and released in strictly limited quantities. Availability is finite and unlikely to be repeated once sold.

Not every bottle is meant to be found.