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Oban
 scrapes in
 decent
 good
 excellent
 sublime
Oban, 14-year-old (Scotland)
Lightly smoky on the honeyed, floral nose. Toffee, cereal and a hint of peat, along with a whiff of the seashore. The palate offers initial cooked fruits, becoming spicier. Complex, bittersweet, malt, oak and more gentle smoke. The finish is quite lengthy and aromatic, with spicy oak, toffee and a touch of new leather.
43.0% ABV, 70cl, £32.95, widely available.  |  |
Oban, Manager's Choice (distilled 2000, bottled 2009) (Scotland)
(Matured in a first-fill European oak butt) The nose offers maple syrup, toffee bonbons, spicy salt and delicate smoke, while citrus fruits, especially orange, hazelnuts and a tang of sea salt are present on the palate. The finish dries steadily to dark chocolate. (534 bottles). 58.7% ABV, 70cl, £300, specialist whisky merchants. |  |
Oban, ‘Distillery-only’ Single Malt (Scotland)
The nose offers warm honey and is lightly citric, with rich fudge, Sherry, cloves and a hint of wood smoke. Water releases orange fondant cream notes. Full-bodied, smooth and gently spicy in the mouth, with candied peel, Jaffa oranges and a developing edge of subtle salt and smoke. Spicy oak, persistent ginger and a hint of cloves in the lengthy finish. 55.2% ABV, 70cl, £60.00, distillery visitor centre. |  |
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