Oban 12 years

About the Oban 12 years

Oban 12 years is a single malt Scotch whisky from the Oban distillery. It comes from the Highland region on the west coast of Scotland. This was the cask-strength entry in the Diageo Special Releases 2021 line-up. Matured in bourbon casks, it was bottled at a powerful 56.2% ABV. The strength keeps every flavour vivid and concentrated. This is coastal Highland whisky with nothing held back. The Oban distillery is one of the oldest in Scotland. Brothers John and Hugh Stevenson built it in 1794. Remarkably, the distillery came first and the town of Oban grew up around it. It runs just two pot stills, making it one of the smallest distilleries in the country. That tiny set-up sits tucked beneath the cliffs of a busy harbour town. That location shapes the whisky in the glass. Oban 12 years sits between the lighter Highland malts and the smoky island styles. The nose opens with honey, butterscotch and fresh fruit. There is a floral, grassy note alongside ripe orange and bright lime. A clean salt tang reminds you the sea is close. The palate is rich and full at this strength. Cream and malty sweetness coat the mouth first. Then orange zest, herbal spice and a touch of guava arrive. A soft peat smoke runs underneath, gentle and savoury rather than fierce. The medicinal, peaty edge stays balanced by all that orchard sweetness. This Special Releases bottling rewards slow sipping. Enjoy it neat in a tulip glass and let the aromas build. The cask strength gives a long, warming finish of honey, orange peel and smoke. For anyone who loves the Oban distillery, this is its coastal style turned up loud. It is a generous, characterful dram.