Isle of Arran Blonde, is it beer or not?

Advantages: Men don't like it
Disadvantages: Women do

...This is my first, and probably my last, beer review, so be gentle with me. MY USUAL TIPPLE I usually drink vodka in a half pint glass with a splash of diet tonic, topped up with diet lemonade, with ice and a slice of lime, a nice simple drink, but if I?m on the continent, like in Belgium, or Amsterdam I?ll drink beer because they have such a wide variety and it tastes good. Here in Britain the beer tends to be too bitter and too heavy so I leave it alone. HOW I DISCOVEREDTHIS BEER My husband Sam and I went shopping in Waitrose last week and encountered a middle of the aisle ?special offer? of two bottles of Isle of Arran Blonde for £3.00. They are normally £1.78 per bottle. My brother in law happens to be a great beer drinker (or he was before his illness) so we decided to buy two bottles to see if we could tempt him. He used...

sylviesinc 29.02.2004 · Read review
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Review of Isle of Arran Blonde

Arran Limited Edition Single Malts

Advantages: Great for Consumption, Gift, and/or Collection
Disadvantages: Arran Limited Edition may have to discontinued due to Gordon's retirement

...Arran is not just famous for its scenic beauty; it has one of the most sophisticated and complex single malt aged in premium cru Bourgogne and bottled in 2006. Only 308 bottles are available. This single cask single malt is bottled at cask strength without chill-filtered, which is a modern process to avoid cloudiness when water is added during tasting. However, most distillers now belief that this process will taken away some of the aromas and taste. Cask strength malts means no water is added to bring down the alcohol %/Vol. The industry standard is 40-43%/Vol. for tax purposes. A cask strength malt can go as high as +/- 60%/Vol. This cask strength malt is very complex and sliky. I nosed honey, chocolate, vanilla, and fruits. The taste is very malty with a hint of peat. As the Alc./Vol. for this malt is 56.5%, it...

SingMaltMan 02.08.2007 (22.08.2007) · Read review
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Review of Isle of Arran (Scotland)

Do it once in your lifetime, especially if you enjoy the outdoors

Advantages: Scenic, relaxing, friendly
Disadvantages: the weather can be a downfall

...This is the only Scottish Island I have set foot on and every time I do it is worth it. The Isle Of Arran is where my father was born and his side of the family reside. As a kid I used to go there every year, sometimes twice a year. Unfortunately I don't get there as much now due to time commitments. It's really a poor excuse as it is not difficult to get there. The Isle of Arran is situated off the West Coast of Scotland, part of North Ayrshire and has a population of 5000+. It is full of small villages, friendly locals and breathtaking scenery. *Getting There* Getting to Arran is very simple and straightforward. A ferry crossing from Ardrossan Harbour to Brodick (Arrans main area) only takes around 55 minutes. The ferry is a large size and never feels overly crowded (unless it's the main holiday season). You can travel...

asillars 28.09.2009 · Read review
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Review of Isle of Arran (Scotland)

Heaven sent

Advantages: Beauty, wildlife, peace & quiet, no traffic jams
Disadvantages: Weather

...Have you ever fancied a few days on a remote island with the gentle sound of the sea & the beauty of tropical trees & plants? A few days just to relax & completely unwind from the daily stress we all appear to endure. A tropical island in the Pacific Ocean perhaps? Actually no, this is a place not too far from home & at a fraction of the price. The Isle of Arran, official named 'Scotland in miniature'. LOCATION The Isle of Arran is situated in the Firth of Clyde & Kilbrannan Sound in the south west of Scotland. The east coast of the island is only 14 miles off the Ayrshire mainland, the north coast overlooks the island of Bute & the west coast looks over the Mull of Kintyre. Yes, the same place Paul McCartney made famous in his 1977 song & where he often retreats to his farm. HISTORY Hundreds of years ago Arran originally...

ScottishWestie 25.04.2008 · Read review
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Review of Isle of Arran (Scotland)

The Sweet Smell of Success

Advantages: Good Quality Products at a Reasonable Price
Disadvantages: No High Street Stores

...?My name is Lisa and I?m a recovering Lush addict.? I have my addiction largely under control these days, but Lush will always occupy a special place in my heart. So when I received an Arran Aromatics voucher at Christmas I was keen to try it out just so I could say it wasn?t as good as Lush. It wasn?t ? it was better (shocked gasps from all the Lush fans!) First allow me to back pedal a little, for the sake of those people who have no idea what Lush is or what I?m talking about. In recent years there has been a massive growth in the market for ?handmade? and ?natural? cosmetics, facial, bath and body products. Lush is one of the big boys in the market but there are plenty of others and Arran Aromatics is one of them, although having been established in 1988, it is certainly not a newcomer jumping on the bandwagon. Arran...

lwperkins 10.03.2003 · Read review
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Review of Arran Aromatics

Sail across the Estuary to the Peaked Island

Advantages: Picturesque
Disadvantages: Some may find it a little quiet

...The Isle of Arran is situated off the West Coast of Scotland and forms a part of North Ayrshire. It is known as ?Scotland in Miniature? and is particularly picturesque during the winter months, when the sky is clear blue (it is sometimes you know!), and the hills of Arran are covered in Snow. I can see the Isle of Arran from my bedroom window, and it is visible from most of Ayrshire. I never tire of looking at it. The name Arran, means ?Peaked Island? in Gaelic. Getting There ----------------- Arran can be reached from the port of Ardrossan, and the crossing takes just under 1hr. The ferry is a reasonably large one, and can accommodate many cars. However if you are going for the day only, you are probably better to go as a foot passenger and rely on public transport around Arran, as this is relatively inexpensive whereas taking...

helencbradshaw 31.10.2003 · Read review
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Review of Isle of Arran (Scotland)

Proxy grabs a blonde

Advantages: Refreshing thirst-quencher
Disadvantages: Not many

...In recent weeks, I've been frequenting my local JD Wetherspoons pub. There's plenty to criticise about this chain, but there's also plenty to praise. One thing I like about them is the fact that there's always a good selection of real ales - plenty of them are regulars, but there's also an ever-changing array of guests. Oxymoronically, one of the beers they have as a 'guest regularly', is ARRAN BLONDE. Close to Broderick Castle in the shadow of the island's highest mountain, Goat Fell, there can be few breweries commanding such a scenic setting as the Arran Brewery. From their modern brewery, using natural ingredients with no additives, they produce a range of ales including Arran Light, Dark and this one, Blonde. THEY SAY: "A pale golden beer, clear tasting in a continental style, with floral hop and new mown grass aroma...

proxam 17.08.2004 · Read review
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Review of Isle of Arran Blonde

Gimme a soapy massage!

Advantages: cleans well, unisex,
Disadvantages: bland soapy smell, no great lather

...Wheatgerm and Vitamin E Massage soap with Oatmeal. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- I received this bar of massage soap wrapped up in a face cloth for my Christmas from the teacher of the classroom where I have been placed on my work placement experience. (Wonder if she's trying to tell me something?) Anyway It isn't the best looking bar of soap on my bathroom shelf and I was really putting off using it as i didn't like the look of it to be honest. It looks exactly like the picture Ciao has placed above! It is wrapped in clear cellophane with a white sticker on front telling us that it's a 200g bar, and it's made by the Arran Apothecary in Scotland. It is a massage soap which contains wheatgerm and vitamin E, which is good for the skin. It also says that it is a moisturising soap...

missy0303 22.02.2006 · Read review
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Review of Arran-Aromatics Wheatgerm and Vitamin E Massage Soap

Scotland in Miniature

Advantages: scenic, tranquil
Disadvantages: none other than the price of transporting your car across

...The Isle of Arran can be found in the Firth of Clyde on the south west coast of Scotland. Commonly described as ‘Scotland In Miniature’ at 56 miles all round, Arran is separated into its own Highland and Lowland areas and thereby offers a little of everything that Scotland provides, all compacted together into one island. The island is easily accessible being only an hour’s drive from Glasgow and a 55-minute Caledonian MacBrayne ferry crossing from Ardrossan Harbour. For those close by, Arran offers the chance for a great day out to soak up the relaxing island life. Having said this, Arran is a busy wee island, but amongst the business transport, farm vehicles, buses and tourist traffic the tranquil nature shines through. What gives Arran the attractive edge is its situation in the Gulf Stream which in turn...

hakkved 16.10.2001 · Read review
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Review of Isle of Arran (Scotland)

CalMac Ferries - Ardrossan to Brodick (Isle of Arran)

Advantages: Pleasant service with relaxed boarding environment.
Disadvantages: Plenty of time needs to be allowed to reach Ardrossan from the M74.

...Crossings run upto five times a day in the Summer. From Ardrossan on the Ayrshire Coast to Brodick on the East Coast of the Isle of Arran. Crossings take place on the MV Caledonian Isles. The ferry has a capacity of 110 cars and up to 1000 passengers. Built in 1993 facilities on board include the Mariners Cafeteria, Coffee Cabin, The Still Bar, Game On (Arcade machines), Cub Club Children's Play area, Observation Lounge, Pet Area, Rest Lounge, and an External Seating area. The crossing takes 55 minutes in either direction. Check in closes 30 minutes before sailing for those with transport, and 10 minutes beforehand for foot pasengers. The port areas at either end of the crossing are in my opinion very well signposted. Drivers are expertly guided into position by the crew on the car deck, so even the newest of drivers...

mjharrison56 13.01.2010 · Read review
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Review of CalMac Ferry: Mallaig to Almadale-Isle of Skye