Oban 21 Year (2018 Special Release)

Nose - (undiluted) Spicy ginger, a touch of ozone, ripe pears, rich honey, golden raisins, citrus zest, light longan; (with water) More ozone, less spice, more ripe pears, a blend of lemon/orange zest, golden raisins. Palate - (undiluted) Rich, oily mouthfeel, golden raisins/ripe Bosc pears, floral honey, a tingle of white pepper, light citrusy ginger, a hint of salt; (with water) Less heat, more lemon zest, floral honey, ripe pears, light salt, golden raisins. Finish - (undiluted) Lingering "fresh" sweetness, darker golden raisin sweetness, very ripe Bosc pears, dark honey, a ginger tingle, salt; (with water) Lingering ripe pears, a light tingle, honey, light citrus. Score - 94/100 Final Thoughts - A superb dram overall, with nothing unpleasant from start to finish. The unique "ozone" note is present, but with a very "fresh" character. It strongly features super-ripe pears and golden raisin sweetness, with a pleasant fruity, floral aspect. It's unclear if there was sherry influence, but it evokes a nice Sauternes, sweet Moscato, or Riesling character. Regardless, it's quite enjoyable, and the "ozone" element is excellent. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - Yes Would I purchase a bottle? - Yes, if I could find one for approximately $200 USD.

A pleasant spiciness from a bit of alcohol and notes of wood and anise, along with the freshness of green apple and pineapple jam, and the sweetness of malty bread, creating a good balance. It has a good acidity and sweetness, offering a moderately light sensation. However, it's not bland because the texture isn't overly silky. There's a subtle peatiness throughout. The peat and floral notes aren't perfectly integrated, sometimes leading to rough, abrupt bursts. When the peat appears, it seems accompanied by a sweet aroma from the alcohol. Occasionally, a musty oak scent is noticeable. The pleasant warmth from the alcohol level lingers past the swallow, and aside from a slight tannin sensation gathering at the back of the tongue, the palate is left very clean. The finish seems short.

Pleasant watermelon notes. Nose: Pineapples, mangoes, raisins, white chocolate, sultanas, cloves, peanut butter, watermelons, raisins. Palate: Sultanas, raisins, caramel, smoke, watermelons, coconuts, Nutella, Luxardo cherries. Finish: Watermelons, cinnamon, ginger, blood oranges, grapefruit, toffee, apricots, peaches, smoke.

Diluted to around 46 percent and allowed to rest, this revealed rich notes of heather honey, smoke, and salt that were not apparent when tasted neat. I initially thought it was 40% because someone else poured my first dram, lol. A big surprise going from 57% to 40%!

A very distinct salty-sweet spirit, like a classic Oban 14 but with less orange and more saltiness. It's a smooth relative. The person who poured it said it was 45% ABV, and I believed them because it was incredibly smooth, but it's actually 58%!

Nicely balanced, creamy, with a long-lasting presence in the mouth, truly a pleasure to consume and savor.