So here’s the third (and last) part of our mini-series of 2022 Distillers Editions. Time for the Oban Distillers Edition.
What more to add after the Lagavulin and Caol Ila? In the latest edition they dropped the vintage or any other age statement, even the batch indication. Less transparency, and probably an indication of a younger composition in the future.
Oban Distillers Edition (43%, OB 2022, Montilla Fino seasoned American oak finish)
Nose: gentle sea spray up front, but also sweeter hints of yellow apples, tangerines and vanilla cream. Subtle chalky notes. Then honey and a hint of apricot jam. Gentle hints of wood spice and tobacco leaves. Quite nice actually.
Mouth: still a pleasant mix of austere notes from the Fino (chalk, walnuts, a touch of cardboard) with rounder notes like honey, stewed quinces and chutney. Then a hint of honeysuckle, pastry cream and butterscotch. Echoes of gingerbread towards the end.
Finish: medium length, with a vague fruity sweetness, warm leather and mild spices.
Oban tends to be a name that I’m somehow not actively seeking out, but that always seems to leave a good impression. I find this pretty nice as well, even though it’s not a particularly screamy type of whisky. Available from The Whisky Exchange or Master of Malt for instance. I found a sample at Whiskysite.nl