Arran 1997 18 Year Old The Helen Arthur Single Cask Whisky Collection

Helen Arthur was the world’s leading female whisky writer, achieving record sales with The Single Malt Whisky Companion, which was the first fully illustrated book on single malts and has become a bible for whisky drinkers everywhere. She died suddenly at the beginning of May.

Helen worked for the UK’s leading drinks companies for over 25 years on brands such as The Glenlivet, Highland Park, The Famous Grouse, Glendronach and Teacher’s Highland Cream.

In 1999 she was made a Life Member of the Keepers of the Quaich in recognition of her work in promoting the ‘advancement, standing and reputation of Scotch whisky’.

Caecil Gerrits asked her to come to his whisky shop in Nijmegen in June 2003 where the idea for her own whisky collection marketed by Caecil and his team was born. The Helen Arthur Single Cask Collection was launched at the whisky fair again in The Hague in November 2003.

The first bottlings were from Clynelish, Mortlach, Bowmore and Rosebank distilleries and were an instant success. Caecil and Helen enjoyed selecting whiskies which illustrate the wide range of aromas and flavours available to single malt connoisseurs.

The distinctive labels were designed to stand out from the crowd and feature paintings from Dutch artist, Ben Reiken.

This Arran was distilled in 1997 and bottled in February 2015

Age: 18 years

Cask type: First Fill Bourbon Hogshead

Cask No 170

58.8% ABV / 70cl