Oban 14 Year Old
State of Play of two region styles
0 381
Review by @Rantavahti
- Nose20
- Taste22
- Finish19
- Balance20
- Overall81
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It is amazing how much Oban 14 year old is like a crossover of usual Islay and Speyside stuff. This Highlander surely is a crossbreed of fruity smoothness and heavy smoke but something falls short. There's no real character.
With Oban 14 yrs, every good scent and taste stays at the background and doesn't want to step up. There is some character but it doesn't want to get out. Oban 14 yrs is like a good Ben Affleck movie – those exist and they are good but they still have Ben Affleck in them. Take State of Play for instance.
Nose: Burning bonfire smoke fades away bringing some medicinal notes and fermented fruits. There's also something very pointy and repulsive, like drying paint.
Taste: Thick and smooth. Oak, malt, wine and fruits.
Finish: Very strongly sour and dry at first, like chewing painted wood. Then some nice faints of smoke rise along with hints of fruit. Long finish but still the weakest part.
Balance: Sophisticated smoke, quite rich but not the most consistent drams I've tasted.
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Although I see where you're coming from here, I think it does actually have a (subtle) character - it's a SALTY dram! At least to my palate...
I assume you like a clear 'element' to stick out in your Scotch, which I do understand - and in that case this isn't going to knock you over.
But the balance is exactly why I like it actually, though each to their own!