Oban 12 Year (2021 Special Release)

On the nose: Chalk (seashells), salt-encrusted beach rocks, kelp, turmeric, mustard, green apple skins, black olives, sweet orange extract and a strong ale-like maltiness. Softer, more floral and with greater integration after the addition of a dash of water and a rest in the glass for a few minutes. Palate: Sweet, full arrival with citrus fruits, salted caramel and a little vanilla. In the development the palate expands into new territory with balsamic vinegar, more brine, mustard, ginger powder and other curry spices all appearing. However, this is a measured progression and the palate never seems too busy. The texture is rich, full and provides a pleasant oily mouthfeel, but it’s not creamy - more like olive oil. Be cautious of adding too much water, however, as this makes the spicy characteristics retreat and the palate turn to a more simplistic sweet profile. Finish: Medium/long. Complex and mildly spicy/sweet. An interesting expression of Oban that has a lot going on but is not especially difficult or challenging, just a little unusual. There were a lot of intriguing aromas presented that blindsided me to start with and required time to identify. I love that! It also improved over the course of the evening. On first nosing it I thought it was messy and lacked integration, like an experimental savory/sweet curry that is not quite properly adjusted yet. However over time (and I’m sure it was partly me adjusting to its profile) I came to appreciate it more. A good whisky, on the whole. I thought it did not have the polish that some of the other expressions displayed, but then it was also way more interesting than the first two whiskies on the card. I don't think anyone voted for this as the best whisky of the night, but it did receive a lot of favourable comments. “Very Good”: 85/100 (4 stars)

A pale straw color with a thick appearance in the glass. The aroma is similarly pale but pleasant. Strawberry, green apple, and honey are present. There's a touch of dusty wood and white pepper. With attention and time, a hint of sulfur and salt emerges. This might sound strange, but it almost smells like a pizzeria – charred crust, zesty San Marzano tomatoes, and smoked meat combined. For 58% ABV, it's deceptively easy on the palate. It has a slight thickness and an unfolding taste. Sultanas, vanilla, oak, green apple, agave, ginger, coffee, a gentle rise and fall of campfire smoke, and a bit of tobacco. There's a salted fish note, perhaps sea bass? It's not dominant but intriguing. Fried plantains? This finish is endless. It's odd but effective. That's delightful and truly lingers. The ex-bourbon influence imparts a dark sugar character – less fruity than the nose suggests, with ample earthy spice. The saltiness is almost like salted toffee. This is all without water, making me curious about adding just a few drops. The blend of pizzeria and malt sweetness becomes more prominent, and the strawberry note disappears. The flavors now hit all at once – like an angry Bruce Lee. It will be noticeable for a while, in a positive way. If I had any specific complaint, it's that the water introduces a slight bitterness to the finish. Another criticism is the price, and indeed the limited availability. The variety of flavors keeps it engaging from beginning to end, but no single flavor truly captivates me. It's almost a bit too busy. There aren't really any soft edges or dusty notes, but at the price point, I'm content. Overall, this is a shape-shifting entity. I adore it. Perhaps an extra quarter point for the artwork.

I had intended to make a video featuring this, but since I purchased a bottle, I'll simply write my notes and decide later what to do with the bottle. Nose - There's an intriguing blend of savory, salty, and sweet here. Sometimes, a younger malt might hint at glue or metallic notes, but barely. This one initially suggests a negative direction, but quickly pivots to sweetness and a cleaner, more mature malt profile. Instead, I perceive earthy barley, light salt, a subtle undertone of caramel, vanilla, and toffee. There might even be the faintest hint of ginger spice. As it evolves, the aroma shifts towards tart white fruits, white wine, and now distinctly shortbread cookies (which I suspected earlier but is now clear), along with orchard fruits. It's quite tart and fruity. Taste - Tart lemon is immediately prominent, transitioning to white wine as you swallow, followed by rich, salty malt. Sugarcane and light vanilla icing attempt to emerge. A mix of orchard fruits is present but not harmonious. On the finish, there's a very faint waxy note that develops into subtle oak, and the oak gradually intensifies as the finish persists. I was informed of a soapy quality, and indeed, I detect that in the mid-palate. Overall, this was a well-crafted, classic malt. A bit unusual and different, but it largely succeeds. I'm giving this a 2.0. It's a pleasant change of pace, but as I often say, grab an Oban 14 and move on.

The nose presents fresh banana bread with undertones of pears. On the palate, it tastes like homemade Christmas Cake (with oranges) and rum vanilla frosting. A faint note of salted black licorice is also present. The finish is warm, peppery, mild, and quite lengthy.

Butterscotch and caramel flavors lead, followed by a smooth finish with moderate spice. There's a subtle hint of peat.

The aroma has cream buns and an evaporating quality.