Oban 14 Year Old

Oban's distillery backs onto the town's coast, and the fresh sea air that must permeate through the streets of the town also finds itself charmingly aligned with a smoky quality in its whisky. That is not to say that the nose is simply a bombarding of harsh sensations; quite the opposite. After repeated nosings, hints of orange and pear emerge and balance the whisky out perfectly (surely where the sherry casks have had their influence). If one is patient enough, citrus fruits join the party.

These fruits become ever more abundant in the tasting. The whisky takes on a lovely sweet flavour, with repeated and intense bursts of fruit emerging. It is a rich and complex whisky, not least because the sea air makes a return just as the whisky goes down.

The sea air commences a finish that is both long and pleasant. A release of smoke hits the palate, followed by the merest hint of liquourice. The fruits, having been pushed to one side, make their return once the smoke has bowed off the stage, leaving the mouth with sweet sensations abounding.

It is no surprise that the town has built up around the distillery. This is a superb whisky that deserves all the accolades it has received. Now, please excuse me whilst I pour another glass...

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