I’ve been getting quite a few comments asking about this year’s Oban SR, and having been a bit busy this week I’ve not had time to write proper notes, so here goes.
The 12 yo comes from ex-Bourbon and refill casks (although I’ve also read something about this being aged in fresh charred American oak, so not sure what to really say about that. 1 ) and bottled art a nice 56.2% abv.
Oban 12 yo Special release 2021, 56.2% , £104.49
Nose: Oban’s a distillery is a coastal one sitting a spit’s length from Oban ban, so it’s very fitting this one is going to have some coastal and maritime notes, and it does (well, it’ss an Oban), some salty notes, seat spray, mineral, with wet pebbles and perfumed ripe red apples, sitting on a sweet fresh dough pastry almost a hint of grappa perfume here if I might say so, a tad waxy as well which is welcome and maybe a note of pear financier cookies. A lovely beginning. With water, the faintest hint of green olives comes into mind.
Palate: A bit harsh and brutal entry: quite spicy with a lot of pepper, bitter toasted oak, orange peel, and bitter grapefruit pith, there’s also a salty saline-y touch to it, gone are the perfumed apples, and it’s really more forceful and not as gentle as one can expect from sniffing it. more vanilla and spices make for a not-so-complex palate, but still enjoyable. Feels a bit younger than 12, if I might say so.
Finish: medium length with a hint of smoke, and more olive brine, salt, and toasted oak. quite frugal.
Conclusion: A rather “Obany” Oban, a bit simplistic, with a brilliant nose, and a good palate and finish. If you’re an Oban fan, this one’s not going to disappoint, but hey at over 100 quid, not sure about VFM. I am not 100% convinced here.
score: 85/100
Available at TWE / Malts for £105
1 as a side note, this year’s cask profiles are rather unclear, not sure if on purpose or not.