Oban 12 Year Old, Diageo Special Release 2021

An evocative dram, shaded with spice yet also suffused with sunlight, out of the ordinary while remaining a fine representative of Oban’s understated, easy-drinking style.

An original Oban from non-traditional casks that has a great deal to say for itself as it skillfully entwines the lighter and darker traits of this famous bridge between the Highland and Island styles of single malt.

Tasting notes:
Appearance: Bright, pale gold.

Body: Medium.

Nose: Mellow, with elusive yet unmistakably maritime top notes of crispy edible seaweed, crystal salt and coarse black pepper on a wooden trencher, perhaps accompanied by very lightly smoked fillets of white fish. After a while a spoonful of sweet chilli sauce is added to the platter while with a drop of water, light olive oil becomes the top note.

Palate: Very smooth, soft and mouth-filling in texture, the taste is fruity and lightly citrus-sweet, balanced by a pinch of salt mid-palate and an insistent yet never overpowering spiciness from the fresh-charred casks. The effect is lush and vigorous, with a great balance between crunchy wood spice and fresh, fruity distillery character. Staying sweet throughout, it is delicious straight, while a dash of water lightly rounds the flavours, bringing up the fruity notes.

Finish: Quite long, finishing spicy with a shake of pepper. Water brings forward a lovely smooth warmth in the aftertaste, as if to herald a final gleam of light.