NOSE: hazelnuts, marzipan and fresh fruits (orange flesh, green apples, pears). Pastry cream, vanilla, orange zest and a very remote note of peat. There's a touch of that Talisker 10 / Old Pultney 12 coastal freshness to the nose as well and some subtle floral notes. All of these notes are nicely integrated and balanced out. Yet, they are somehow ..."tired". Since the nose really is gentle and it doesn't jump at you, giving you a big "wow" moment like some other whiskies do. It's a calm highland nose.
TASTE: medium sweet, balanced, creamy, pie crust, some fruits, vanilla, pears and oranges which very soon give way to black pepper spice and a touch of salt.
FINISH: the final part of the experience is of medium length, oak tannins, creme brulee and a touch of peat.
BALANCE AND OVERALL IMPRESSION: it's a nicely balanced, slightly, in my opinion, under-performing malt with decent complexity. Yet, I wouldn't buy another bottle of it.
Just finished up a bottle. I thought it was quite decent, although some days I found it excessively sweet. It's about an 85 for me.
I've only had Oban a couple times, but it seems like a really promising malt that could be great at a higher ABV.
But the OBs? Yeah, meh.