Oban 14 Years
The Oban distillery is one of the oldest, one of the smaller and one of the few distilleries in Scotland that produces whisky close to the coast. As part of the Classic Malts Selection, it becomes even more interesting when viewed in the context of the full lineup. The Oban 14 is, apart from a special release and a limited edition, the only Oban with an age statement.As you would expect with an age of almost a quarter of a millenium, the distillery has had several owners and has had to be foreclosed on twice. For a time it even belonged to the Patterson brothers, the perpetrators of the eponymous catastrophic collapse of the whisky industry in the late 1800s.
The panel
Mean 78.0 · spread 2
Value for money 3/5
- Distillery
- Oban
- Type
- Single Malt
- Region
- Highlands
- Country
- Scotland
- Age
- 14 years
- Strength
- 43% ABV
- Character
- spicy
Tasting
Nose
The Scotch opens with fruity notes of mango and peach. This is followed by a little spicy notes of tropical wood. A salty aroma and a hint of smoke resonate. Unexpectedly interesting.
Palate
The first sip of this whisky from the western Highlands reminds us of apricot, fruit preserves, rapeseed honey and white chocolate. Really sweet, you could say. The sweetness is then displaced by a salty-mineral and at the same time citrusy-sour blast of flavours. We think of apple cider with lemon curd.
Finish
Dry and salty with light oak notes, the single malt lingers for some time before disappearing without a trace.
Verdicts
Marcel
Oban 14 Years is like a leisurely stroll along the coast – not too rough, not too sweet, but just the right amount of maritime charm with a creamy drinkability that keeps inviting you back for another sip. A whisky that proudly claims its place between the Highlands and Islay and simply brings enjoyment.
Sascha
The Oban 14 presents itself as a balanced single malt with a successful interplay of fruity sweetness and salty minerality, structurally well balanced. Despite minor imperfections, the whisky feels solid thanks to its clearly defined aromas and dry finish, showcasing the typical coastal influence in its profile.
What it is worth
We do not yet hold bottle-level auction results — that sits behind Whisky Hunter’s authenticated feed. What follows is the market for Oban as a whole, which sets the weather for this bottling without pricing it.
Latest mean bid £177 across 81 lots · 2024-08