300 special barrels, finished in Montilla Fino Sherry casks, and almost 16 years total in oak … this is REALLY good stuff.
Oban is a lovely seaside resort town on the west coast of Scotland. But long before there was a lovely seaside resort town, John and Hugh Stevenson built their first still house there in 1794. So the town literally grew up around the Whisky — which is the way it should be if you ask us.
The good blokes at Oban have only one wash and one Spirit still, they are small enough to be left alone to their good works in peace. And good works they do a’plenty. Oban is considered one of the classic malts of Scotland — a virtual national treasure. Oban is in the Highlands, but it’s position on the far western coast gives their Spirit a more unique character then their brothers to the east.
Each year the good folks at Oban set aside 300 barrels for the Distillers Edition. Now, most distilleries age their core Whisky for 10 or 12 years. But Oban goes thinks that it takes 14 years, so that is exactly what their core product gets. But those special 300 barrels get set aside and re-casked into first-fill Montilla Fino Sherry butts for up to 18 months more. Meaning Oban Distillers Edition is pushing 16 years if she’s a day.
And gosh-darn this is good stuff. Seriously, it’s sweet, crisp, and dry … like eating fresh apples and honey while receiving butterfly kisses under a rainbow. And while that description is probably accurate, it sure doesn’t sound too manly. So let’s go with something else. 300 barrels … it’s like they are the Spartans of Scotch, fighting against the tyranny of average Whisky! WE … ARE … OBAN!
The Flavor Spiral™ shows the most common flavors that you'll taste in Oban Distillers Edition and gives you a chance to have a taste of it before actually tasting it.
We invented Flavor Spiral™ here at Flaviar to get all your senses involved in tasting drinks and, frankly, because we think that classic tasting notes are boring.
Dog Dogson's
Smartass Corner
Single Malt Scotch Whisky is made in Scotland using a pot still distillation process at a single distillery, with malted barley as the only grain ingredient. It must be matured in oak casks in Scotland for at least three years (most Single Malts are matured longer, though).
Complex, smokey, sweet. But maybe I'm biased, this is my favorite scotch.
Ronald,
Excellent color and notes
Cory,
My single favorite bottle of scotch consumed. 17 year is smooth, flavorful, and yummy.
Seth,
Very nice, much more complex than the 14.
Gerardo,
Different whisky, spicy and complex.
I line it bery much.
Joe,
I love this. One thing that I look for in a good scotch, is the finish smooth. I have had some that were great until the end were they finished on the harsh side. This is great all around.
Brendan,
Sweet and delicate with a nice balanced hint of peat. Worth spending a bit more to get the 18 year and a bit more oak influence.
Troy,
I prefer the Oban 14 and the Oban 18 over this. The Distiller's Edition is decent, a little more peaty than the aged bottles. This is a very drinkable scotch and I think folks that prefer a little more peat will enjoy it more than the aged bottles. My palate tends to run more to the sherry side, so recognize that affects my rating.
Nicholas,
This is the good stuff. So enjoyably complex. Super sweet nose, peach, caramel and sweet cherry. The taste completely twists though, tart and tangy apples and cherries hits hard at the front, but then comes a salty, briny, and light peat flavor that really lingers even after finishing. The best part is the dryness that is there throughout the taste. Like a Tempranillo wine dry that helps the flavor flow from tang to salty peat.
Michael,
Wow...
Update...still wow, but this is best, in my opinion, slightly chilled in a Peugeot glass with some water
Robert,
Definitely an excellent bottle! My one complaint is that I can by the same bottle for significantly less in NH. Serves me right that going forward I will need to compare. That being said, I have seen many other bottles that were a bit cheaper or on par with what I would by here.
Eduardo,
Strong red apple aroma with hints of white flowers and honey. A bit sweet in the mouth, with a salty and drying finish
Jeremy,
This is one of my favorites. Absolutely stunning. Complexity is through the roof. So much going on. The most complex scotch I've had, bar none. Must try for everyone.
Eduardo,
If you’ve been to Oban, this whisky captures the spirit of the town. Honeysweet, a little salty tidewater. Just the kind of drink to transport me to that little fishing town.
Greg,
Drop dead favorite, perfect balance of smooth and peaty. Like you’re drinking spicy butter!
guest,
Heaven on earth
JOHN,
Open it up with a drop of water of sliver of ice.
Gary,
so good. finish is so creamy and smooth
Mike,
Very smooth whisky! Not smoky like I usually enjoy, but definitely one of my favs!
Thomas,
Low smoke. Slight sweetness and smooth. What you would expect from Oban.
Kurt,
Oban’s complexity really shines with a hint of peat, salt, and spice.
Alexander,
Great single malt with nice balance between smoke and softness
Brett,
Maybe I got a bad bottle or something, but this literally tasted like murky pond water. Was it sitting out in the Sahara sun for 10 hours during the shipment?
guest,
Citrus, salty and sweet. Great power at the end.
Andrew,
Wish I had more. Sad I don't have more.
Casey,
Truely a smooth scotch whiskey! Beautiful amber gold color, Dry and sweet almost fruity notes to it. Smooth slow tingle of toasted black cherries on the tail of the drink. But all in all 9 stars for i am a realist and i have not met my 10 star whiskey yet! But Oban makes a damn close rock hard 9!
Keith,
My favorite of the Highland whiskeys. At first taste I thought the flavors were a bit muted but the more I drank the more flavors shines through. Not as overpowering smoke flavor as the Lagavulin 16 or Caol Ila 12. It’s a more mature complex flavors. It’s easy to pick up a number of different flavors and find something new with each sip.
Alon,
A really smooth scotch with equal mixture sweet and salty. I can also taste the wood in a really nice way. A fantastic blend, and a very easy scotch to enjoy.
Amy,
I love the salty taste
Russ,
Brought 2 bottles back from a vacation in The highlands. This is a very fine example of Highland Malt. Love this whisky
Daniel,
I like this much more than standard Oban.
Alon,
Very smooth.
Anthony,
nose: lots of balanced sherry and sea breeze, slight oak, cane sugar with apples, sharp white pepper at the peak
palate: soft mouthfeel, cane sugar, sweet fruit, brine
Finish:sweet grapes like juice, hints of sherry and nuts, no bite, medium long finish, lasting fruit
Overall: very easy to drink, straightforward, very smooth and sweet, great summer dram
Ben,
Great scotch to sip slowly!!! Wonderful taste!!
daniel,
Amazing tasting liquid, like Diageo's Distillers Edition scotches
Bob,
Smooth and drinkable.
Adam,
Very drinkable. Smooth and sweet with strong notes of vanilla and honey. Not harsh at all.