Oban 14 Years
The Oban distillery is one of the oldest, one of the smaller and one of the few distilleries in Scotland that produces whisky close to the coast. The Oban 14 is, apart from a special release and a limited edition, the only Oban with an age statement.As you would expect with an age of almost a quarter of a millenium, the distillery has had several owners and has had to be foreclosed on twice. For a time it even belonged to the Patterson brothers, the perpetrators of the eponymous catastrophic collapse of the whisky industry in the late 1800s.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The Scotch opens with fruity notes of mango and peach. This is followed by a little spicy notes of tropical wood. A salty aroma and a hint of smoke resonate. Unexpectedly interesting.
Palate
The first sip of this whisky from the western Highlands reminds us of apricot, fruit preserves, rapeseed honey and white chocolate. Really sweet, you could say. The sweetness is then displaced by a salty-mineral and at the same time citrusy-sour blast of flavours. We think of apple cider with lemon curd.
Finish
Dry and salty with light oak notes, the single malt lingers for some time before disappearing without a trace.
Thoughts
Marcel 77/100
Oban 14 Years is like a leisurely stroll along the coast – not too rough, not too sweet, but just the right amount of maritime charm with a creamy drinkability that keeps inviting you back for another sip. A whisky that proudly claims its place between the Highlands and Islay and simply brings enjoyment.
Sascha 79/100
The Oban 14 presents itself as a balanced single malt with a successful interplay of fruity sweetness and salty minerality, structurally well balanced. Despite minor imperfections, the whisky feels solid thanks to its clearly defined aromas and dry finish, showcasing the typical coastal influence in its profile.
Value for Money: Fair
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How does the Oban 14 Years differ from other Highland whiskies?
Oban 14 Years is unique because it is distilled close to the coast, resulting in a salty-mineral note typical of maritime whiskies. Additionally, it combines fruity sweetness with a lightly smoky and spicy complexity, setting it apart from many other Highland whiskies.
Why is the Oban 14 Years the only Oban with an age statement?
Besides special releases and limited editions, Oban mainly offers whiskies without an age statement. The 14-years Oban is the only regular single malt from the distillery with an age statement, making it a consistent and representative expression of the distillery.
What flavors can be expected from the Oban 14 Years on the palate?
On the palate, Oban 14 Years shows a combination of sweet notes like apricot, rapeseed honey, and white chocolate, complemented by a salty-mineral and lemony-citrus freshness. The finish is dry, salty, and slightly woody, emphasizing its maritime character.