Oban was one of the first peated scotches that I spent a significant amount of time with as I began really exploring the category. Together with Highland Park, it convinced me to continue delving into the world of peated whisky.
The Oban Distillers Edition, bottled at 86 proof (43% ABV), is first aged in ex-bourbon American White Oak barrels like the flagship 14 Year expression before it’s then finished for ≈18 months in Montilla Fino wine butts. Montilla Fino is not technically a sherry but is a fortified Fino-like wine from the Montilla-Moriles region of Córdoba, southern Spain. Like the 14 Year, the Distillers Edition is very lightly peated at an estimated 1-4 phenol parts per million/PPMs at the malting stage.
A deep gold in the glass, the Distillers Edition has a beautiful, alluring aroma profile rich with candied fruits, orchard fruits (apple and pear), honeyed malt, sweet and sour grapes, a light and balanced earthiness, marzipan, florality, light cinnamon and nutmeg, distinct grassy/vegetal notes, and Oban’s characteristic salinity. On the palate the flavors mirror the nose with the addition of cloves, oak, and a light smokiness on the back palate. The mouthfeel is medium viscous with a long finish of 8-10 seconds.
Delicious!
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