Arran Machrie Moor Scotch Review

By Genevieve Jacot-Guillarmod 

Rating: B+

Lochranza Distillery is located on the Isle of Arran, and produces the Arran range of whisky. The distillery was only established in the 1990s, marking the return of legal whisky production to the island after a long absence.

Machrie Moor is a no-age-statement single malt intended to showcase a peated style of Arran whisky – a contrast to the distillery’s more common unpeated core range. In fact, following the launch of Lagg Distillery on the south of the Isle of Arran in 2019 (dedicated to producing peated spirit), Machrie Moor has since been discontinued – although for now, you should still be able to get your hands on a bottle.

Machrie Moor was named after the famous peat bogs on the island’s west coast, home to a number of circles of standing stones, ala Stonehenge. According to the distillery, is typically matured for around 7 to 8 years in first-fill bourbon casks. It’s bottled at 46% ABV, is non-chill filtered, and is uncoloured. The barley used to produce this whisky was peated to approximately 20ppm, resulting in a moderately smoky profile by Scotch whisky standards: noticeably peated, but significantly lighter than the more heavily peated styles now produced at Lagg.

This makes Machrie Moor an interesting snapshot of Arran’s early exploration into peat, as a bridge between the distillery’s unpeated core range and the more robustly peated direction now taken at its sister distillery.

is located on the Isle of Arran, and produces the Arran range of whisky. The distillery was only established in the 1990s, marking the return of legal whisky production to the island after a long absence.

Machrie Moor is a no-age-statement single malt intended to showcase a peated style of Arran whisky – a contrast to the distillery’s more common unpeated core range. In fact, following the launch of Lagg Distillery on the south of the Isle of Arran in 2019 (dedicated to producing peated spirit), Machrie Moor has since been discontinued – although for now, you may still be able to get your hands on a bottle if you’re lucky.

Machrie Moor was named after the famous peat bogs on the island’s west coast and, according to the distillery, is typically matured for around 7 to 8 years in first-fill bourbon casks. It’s bottled at 46% ABV, is non-chill filtered, and is uncoloured. The barley used to produce this whisky was peated to approximately 20ppm, resulting in a moderately smoky profile by Scotch whisky standards: noticeably peated, but significantly lighter than the more heavily peated styles now produced at Lagg.

This makes Machrie Moor an interesting snapshot of Arran’s early exploration into peat, as a bridge between the distillery’s unpeated core range and the more robustly peated direction now taken at its sister distillery.

The Scotch
On the nose, Machrie Moor opens with a gentle wave of smoke that is present but not overpowering. Hay. Citrus notes follow, accompanied by green apples and a soft vanilla sweetness. A hint of honey is present, along with a faint mineral edge.

On the palate there’s some gentle peat. Toffee, pineapple, orchard fruit, with a touch of spice emerging as it develops. A mild peppery note joins the mix.

I found this whisky enjoyable and easy to drink. It offers enough peat character to satisfy those looking for something smoky, while still remaining approachable for those who don’t typically gravitate toward heavily peated whiskies.

The Price
I found this whisky for around $72. This feels ever so slightly pricy for a non-age-statement whisky. That said, Machrie Moor ticks a number of boxes for many whisky enthusiasts (46% ABV, non-chill filtered, and natural color), and the fact that it has been discontinued may be pushing prices upward with some retailers. Shopping around, especially online, is encouraged.