Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Distillery Bottling 70cl / 57.1%
A full strength 10-year-old Oban bottled for Diageo's 2022 Special Releases with the intriguing subtitle The Celestial Blaze. Answers on a postcard please.
Marketing whimsy aside, this Oban looks like a nice dram and was bottled at its cask strength of 57.1% (equivalent to the old 100-proof in imperial measurements) after initial maturation in new and refill American oak followed by a finishing period in casks seasoned with Amontillado sherry.
Attributes
| Distillery |
Oban |
| Bottler |
Distillery |
| Series |
Special Releases 2022 |
| Country | Scotland |
| Region | Highland |
| Bottling Year | 2022 |
| Age | 10 |
| Limited Edition | Yes |
| Cask Type | Refill and new American Oak, then Amontillado-seasoned casks |
| Bottle Size | 70cl |
| ABV | 57.1% |
| Pre-Owned |
No |
Tasting Notes
Official Tasting Notes
Appearance: Pale, ethereal gold.
Nose: Gentle in feel, with no prickle. The top notes are faint at first yet grow easier to make out, studded with maritime hints of salt crystal, edible seaweed, and ozone-fresh sea air. As the senses adjust a very faint smokiness appears, infused with mere suggestions of lint and light olive oil, and a light note of lemon citrus fruit.
Body: Medium.
Palate: The texture is soft and creamy-smooth, while the taste shines brightly with wine-fruit notes that carry hints of sweet violet and spiced plum. The fruit is balanced by a lively spiciness first met as saltiness mid-palate, then in a blazing dash of chili pepper. A little water softens the taste, taming the spiciness without altering the balance overall.
Finish: Quite long and surprisingly peppery, leaving a smooth memory of chili pepper in the maritime aftertaste.