Oban 18 Year

OBAN SHOWDOWN Oban 14 Oban Distiller’s Edition Oban 18 Oban sometimes faces criticism for its mildness (particularly Oban 14), leading some to label it a “beginner’s” scotch—as if an accessible spirit cannot also be appreciated by a seasoned drinker. Whisky enthusiasts should not equate mildness with simplicity, which Oban 14 is not; instead, it is understated and sophisticated, demanding attention to uncover its nuances. Perhaps the Oban Distiller’s Edition, introduced about 25 years ago, and the Oban Little Bay, introduced about eight years ago, are responses to a market preference for boldness over subtlety. But I am straying from the point. Oban 14 Its color resembles a transparent shade of Pantone 138 (I have no connection to Pantone, but I am using it to try and provide more visual accuracy). The aroma is a celebration of pear: pear purée, pear nectar, pear tart. This is followed by saline notes, hay, a very light touch of peat, and a subtle, not-quite-smoky character that leans more towards cured meat, like speck. The palate presents a smooth texture, with sweet honey and a floral quality like gardenia, as if the flower's scent could be tasted. It has a long finish with salt, a hint of pepper dust, and some spicy oak. Delightful. 43% ABV. 4.25 out of 5 stars. Oban Distiller’s Edition I have always appreciated the sherry-finished expressions of Diageo’s single-malt whiskies in their Distiller’s Editions. The color is the deepest of the three, closer to Pantone 152. However, this is not due to the sherry aging, as the sherry used here is Fino, which is much lighter than the more common Olorosso. This expression is more substantial, sitting between the 14 and 18 in terms of aroma, palate, and finish. The aroma is akin to peach cobbler, with a lingering hint of breakfast bacon drifting from the kitchen. The palate retains a light, glycerin-like feel, and a salty sweetness persists on the finish. 2021 bottling. Same 43% ABV. 4.25 out of 5 stars. Oban 18 The color is slightly darker than the Oban 14, more like Pantone 145. This is a richer, fuller version of the Oban 14—but at the cost of the 14’s brightness, similar to an aged wine. The once-vibrant bouquet of fruity pears has transformed into a comforting blend of baked pears and applesauce, dusted with brown sugar. The palate is smooth like the 14, with a sweetness leaning more towards sorghum than honey, and a finish featuring delicate pepper, more subdued than the 14, alongside a fine, dry leathery note. Only four additional years in a cool, damp environment, yet the difference is noticeable. If Oban is considered a feminine spirit, this is an older iteration of the same beautiful woman; each possesses its own allure. Same 43% ABV. 4.25 out of 5 stars. Overall, I favor the younger Oban 14 over the Distiller’s edition and its older 18-year counterpart. The 14 drinks as if it is at its peak appeal; its two older siblings lack the same nimbleness and vivacity. Note: All spirits were tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

Appearance (no score): Russet colored liquid. When swirled, a thick film clings to the glass and slow-moving legs form. Nose: 17/20 Baked apples, cinnamon, tart lemon, dried apricots, strawberries with cream, honey, and a faint earthy, musty note that balances the sweetness. This mix of scents is a true pleasure. Palate: 34/40 The texture feels a bit light, but the taste is plentiful. Salted caramels, more dried apricots, cinnamon, cultured butter, almonds, and milk chocolate. It's incredibly smooth while also being intricate. Finish: 34/40 Medium length. It begins with a pleasant creamy lemon taste, slowly transitioning to a spicier feel with oak tannins and a hint of black pepper. Then, it softens again with walnuts and vanilla before concluding with a light touch of peat smoke. With Water: Adding a few drops amplified the berry notes on the nose, joined by some butterscotch. The palate gained milk and honey, unfortunately obscuring some of the more delicate flavors; they're still present but require close attention. Total: 85/100 Final thoughts: Above all, I truly enjoy this spirit. This is likely my third bottle in as many years. It's uncommon to find one so smooth yet complex, and it's hard to beat for moments when you just desire an easy-drinking dram. However, I typically prefer more intense spirits, which is why I can't award it a higher score. I believe this whisky had the potential for more but was diluted too much and held back by the 43% ABV. The aromas and flavors are fantastic but feel somewhat subdued, the texture is a bit thin, and the finish seems prematurely cut. It will always be a very enjoyable drink and a crowd-pleaser, but it's too accommodating and smooth to truly stand out.

I bought this as a reward because I really dislike spending my own money on any Diageo product above $80. The aroma is mild and unobtrusive, with jammy pears and apricots, a pleasant honeysuckle note, and a touch of very old, sun-dried wood. It's not bad, but it doesn't compel me to sniff it more than I need to drink it. The taste is nearly slick, moderately rich, also sweet and fruity, and well-balanced. It has sweet apricot and bitter orange peel, sweet honeydew and tart apple, sugary canned pears and sour green grass. The finish is dry oak, which makes it a bit too bitter for my liking and feels mismatched with the rest of the palate. Generally, it's acceptable, but requires some effort to discern the individual components. If I were to drink this casually, I'd call it an okay beverage, but I feel the same way about Evan Williams BiB, and that costs $25 a liter, while this is $155 a fifth. For that price, I expect something exceptional that draws me in and makes me want more. This doesn't do that. It serves as a reminder not to spend over $80 on Diageo, because I'll always be let down knowing I could have had a fine Laphroaig, Springbank, Ledaig, BenRiach, or GlenDronach, likely with money left over.

A neighbor gifted me a rather nice bottle of Oban 18 year for Christmas. It was unexpected since he doesn't typically drink whiskey. The aroma is lively and vivid, with citrus being the most prominent note. It also has sweet orange preserves, honey, prunes, and a subtle, intriguing cracker-like scent in the background. Upon tasting, tannic oak emerges with apples and a tingling spice that reminds me of a hot toddy. This spirit is extremely dry, revealing leather notes towards the end of the palate. There's also a hint of dried seaweed, almost like peat smoke but not quite. As the spice and prickling sensation fade, and amidst the lingering dryness, some sweetness returns to the finish as honey and raisins, though it's not intense. Not nearly as potent as the palate's flavors. However, the finish is quite extended and pleasing. This dram has a little too much spice and dryness for my preference, as I tend to favor sweeter, oilier whiskies. I suppose that's why I naturally gravitate towards bourbon. Nevertheless, it's a distinctive and certainly one-of-a-kind choice.

I've enjoyed every Oban expression I've encountered, starting with the standard Oban 14, which is absolutely delightful. The 18 enhances that delight, even though four additional years of Scottish whisky aging is considerably less impactful than four years of American whiskey aging due to Oban's cool, damp North Atlantic climate. (The average daily high temperature in Oban during peak summer is 64°F, which is lower than the average daily low in Bardstown, Kentucky of 69°F; the average daily high in Bardstown during peak summer is 87°F. Higher temperatures age whisk(e)y more quickly). Deep pale amber. Upon opening and pouring, the aroma is immediately rich with notes of orange marmalade and poached pear; subsequent inhalations reveal honeydew, lightly toasted coconut, brown sugar, milk chocolate, and the faintest hint of smoky bacon. A touch of leather on the palate concludes with gentle white pepper. What appears to be a slight woody bitterness on the finish is the only drawback to an otherwise exceptional pour. 43% ABV is well-balanced. N.B. All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

The nose is classic Oban, with a bit more smoke than I recall from other versions, like the scent of a fireplace the morning after a fire – a cool smoke. There are pleasant malty grains, a hint of green apple, vanilla, and caramel, all carried on a gentle sea breeze. The palate is nicely malty and sweet, but not excessively so; everything is quite balanced. It has significant spice (reminiscent of mulled cider), white pepper, barley syrup or perhaps light honey, and a touch of ash. Beautiful, uniform legs descend evenly and linger. For its age, it has a light body but isn't thin by any means, with a pleasant buttery texture. The finish is long, gently warming, and slightly dry. Hints of lemon peel, pear skin, mild oak, and a touch of peat emerge at the end. Overall, it's a really enjoyable malt whisky that isn't overly complex yet is memorable. Nose: 9 Palate: 10 Body: 8.5 Finish: 9