Oban Distillers Edition

2017 edition Smell: Pale sultana raisins are there from the start with a light vineous quality. Then, it goes mineral with slate and then you get the light smoke, pepper and rubber you expect from Oban but with some sweeter notes at the same time with vanilla, pears and light honey. Some ginger and light walnut in the back. WITH WATER: The peated notes come out much stronger in the smell and there is a light bubble gum note coming out. Taste: Surprisingly enough, the first note I get in the taste is a lot more cereal-like than I expected (didn't get in the smell at all, which is quite rare) with strong granola, walnut, honey and vanilla being at forefront of the flavor. Around that, there are the other notes I had in the smell with the vineous notes, pears and sultanas. WITH WATER: Just like with the smell, the peated notes come out much stronger and faster in the taste and changes this whisky quite dramatically considering the low amount of water that I added (a third of a teaspoon ish in a little above an ounce). Just like in the smell, there is a bubble gum and also strawberry jam notes coming out with water. Fascinating changes. Finish: The finish is where the light peated notes come out more with light smoke, pepper and ginger (and the tiniest amount of rubber). Vanilla and granola still lingers. Mouthfeel: This is medium to light with absolutely no oiliness. The chill filtration and the low alcohol count hurts it the most on this point. Overall: Palomino Fino is a great pairing for the Oban distillate, two of the main notes of this kind of wine are the nuttiness and minerality which are present in the "regular" Oban. Although, just like the regular Oban, this whisky is hurt by the chill filtration and the 43% alcohol content hurts it a little. I think this would be great at 48% (and no filtration obviously). Still, this is a quality whisky, there's not doubt about it and it's quite impressive how much it accomplishes considering all of its handicaps for something that appears to be such a delicate distillate.

I believe this is my third or fourth time tasting a different Oban expression, and i still can decide if i like their offerings or not. This is actually not a whisky that i will remember, i really did not like it much and i believe Little Bay was good and maybe the standard 14yo was also decent, but definitively this distillery is not on my top of mind. This Destiller's edition is also a 14yo (2004 -2018) expression, double matured, first in ex bourbon casks, then in Montilla Fino casks. Bottled at 43%abv, Tawny color. On the nose is nice, with dehydrated oranges (turkish delight), pecans, an artificial sugary orange, lots of salt. A little floral, perfumed. Flan caramel, lemon appears after a while. After a couple of minutes, some thick, nice orange marmalade appears. Very similar on the nose to some other amontillado sherry expressions, like Glenmorangie Tayne. Maybe some coffee somewhere. On the palate, it starts falling apart. Orange, ginger, salt. Some fresh notes, orange peel. That's it. Aftertaste, new wood, sawdust; ginger. Very mineral, mostly salty and "rocky". Overall, for a Distiller's edition, this is too simple, difficult to enjoy due to disonant flavors, not the best dram. If you have a double matured dram, you expect to add flavors to a base, not mix them strangely. My score for it is 74 over 100. Sad.

Distilled: 2005 Bottled: 2019 Release: OD 168.FE Nose: Fruit scone, cinnamon, baked goods Palate: Fruit heavy, spicy and salty. There’s an almost Christmassy back note with the fruit and spices, it even has a slightly citrus peel note right at the end. Finish: A medium long finish. A little peat, and more of the salt and spices. Still more of the lovely, juicy fruit. Overall, this is a juicy and layered dram. There’s a sweet, bright fruitiness from the Montilla Fino casks. It’s doesn’t pick up the dryness the wine is known for, but pulls out some of the light vibrancy of the fruit. There are some lovely layers to this whisky, you can still pick out the character of the standard 14y/o, but with the fruit and spice from the finishing casks it gives it its own distinct feel. This is a very lovely dram. Not a ‘session’ dram necessarily, but very moreish.

The nose starts off fruity and sweet with straw and honey, barley sugar, sweet oak and the slightest hint of brine. It is very bright and vibrant, not subsiding as it breathes. It is very intoxicating and wonderfully draws you in for a sip. The palate is smooth and somewhat rich and chewy, filling the mouth with sweet notes of honey, straw and oak. It may seem a little simplistic however, where it shines is how rich and full flavors are. It is dangerously easy to sip, Not feeling like you're drinking any alcohol at all. Touches of brine and pepper add a little bit of spice to this, but overall it's sweetness is it selling point. The finish is medium long and a bit peppery, as dry notes of oak and straw linger and fade.

Nose: Almonds, walnuts, peach, apricot, apple, orange zest, vanilla, honey, sea salt, barrel spices, a bit of yeast, the faintest amount of peat, and tangerines near the end. It grows, changes and becomes quite lovely over the course of a pour (or two). Palate: Somewhat full and round, honey, nuts, dried fruits, malt, butterscotch, sea salt, apple, golden raisins, barrel spices and hint of bitter walnuts. Finish: Longer than expected, sweet and bitter notes battle til the end, with some mild spices and dried fruits hanging around.

Upon first whiff one can definitely tell it’s wine cask finished. After the initial Sherry bomb, (though technically it’s Montilla Fino) one finds notes of candy pecans, heather/honey, and peat smoke. The mouthfeel is dry with a wonderful taste of cashew, saltiness, and earthy tea as well as peat. The finish is medium length, and smokey. I notice it gets better and smokier as it opens up. This is good in my opinion as it starts very fruity and needs this transformation to balance out. I like it, and would recommend it. Sláinte!