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Tasted again after long time - one point higher than last time

Representing the West Highlands in Diageo's Classic Malts of Scotland, Oban 14 features a mineral and slightly salty character. The aroma is both engaging and complex with juicy blood oranges, toffee, fresh tobacco and a lovely coastal touch. After its briny and spicy arrival, the taste develops with intense wood influence, bitter walnuts and a surprising flash of menthol. Astringent dryness and distant hints of spearmint remain of a weak and quickly gone finish, where chill-filtration has taken its toll. Not the greatest malt of the range, but worth a try. RATING: 3.4/5.0 stars ≙ 82 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE [-]

Too bitter for me, this is an old bottling, one of the first of the 14 year but the classic Oban profile is there.

Mainly sweetish whisky with especially fruit in the fragrance. Supplemented with a slight pepperiness and in the distance a little salty and smoky.

N: briny (like a real coastal highlander), grass, fudge, honey, beeswax and fruity - orange T: beeswax, grass, spicy and some nuts F: dry and long, citrus, bitter and later pure raisins

[May, 2017]   Many years ago I had my last standard edition Oban so today's distillery visit is a good refresh on this.  I expect nothing spectacular and I get ... nothing spectacular.  Just an easy to drink dram with the claimed honey and oranges profile.  Warming entry on the palate but not much coating.  Both the taste and finish are very okayish, yet nothing to remember by tomorrow morning.  But hey, such a whisky is made for drinking and not for "analysis paralysis"...

very nice oak fragrance. It easily comes to the tongue, without any irritation. Very pleasant. Aromatic and round. Very good for the price ...

2020 Rating

Nose:- Non aggressive, gentle waves of cola, malts and strong coastal note with touch of iron. Sea breeze with obvious kippery character. Whiff of raw vegetables and paper ashes. Palate:- Unlike the aroma, the true color reveal on palate. Thick and full body, wood-oil extract bitterness with light fruit essence fragrant. Pineapple with salt and thick chili soya. This is a salty and spicy chap. Finish:- Short-medium length, chili spicy, charred oak. Eye-watering. Control your breath, dont get choke. — at The Whisky Bar, Kuala Lumpur.

Nice tasty whisky with a fine spicy touch.

Sea It had been quite a few years since I last tried the Oban 14 Year Old. Unwarranted neglect, I might add, for every time I try it, I quite like it. The nose has a malty heart with honey and citrus fruit, but also a nice smokiness and loads of pepper. I get some figs and something that reminds me of the sea. This is a nice and aromatic nose. It is quite full of flavor and pretty feisty. Loads of heather, pepper and some maritime elements. In the rather short finish, the saltiness returns, with some toffee. Admittedly, it is not the kind of grand malt that makes you lyrical, but still it delivers what you pay for. Thanks, Pat!

Peatier and spicier than I remembered it. Citric, floral, mineralic, peppery / gingery, salty, fresh. Almost like a deluxe, higher-aged, more spicy, all-malt version of Teacher‘s Blended Scotch. Certainly not a „smooth“ whisky, I wouldn’t recommend this to beginners or casual whisky drinkers because of the peppery heat. Speaking of: At 43 percent, you wouldn’t think so, but it actually gets better with a drop or two of water.

Already drinkable, but very reserved, what he is known for.

Color: Golden yellow.Aroma：Moderate；Palate：82/100; Aftertaste：Medium.

Fine elegant whisky, a little orange, salt and a little peat. Sometimes comes really good, sometimes rather difficult.

a 14 years old tasted a long time ago, and who has not moved qq years later!

Nose: lots of alcohol in the nose, salty, spicy (some cardemom), vegetal and a little sulfury smoke. Taste: medium bodied with some sherry sweetness and bitter herbs. The finish is very one dimensional, I only get a very dry bitter woodsap. The nose is pretty ok but then it really runs downhill. This is actually one of the few whiskies where I'd wish the finish to be shorter. Oban 14 yo clearly does not rock my boat.

Very smooth and creamy whisky. Almost island caracter.

Makes a strong impression, the 43% Vol. Are well chosen. For my taste, the bitterness is a touch too dominant. In return, the excellent spice compensates with the thyme influence.

This Oban was, along with the classics of Ayla (Lagavulin 16, Laf 10 and Ardbeg 10), among the first whisky I tried. Then he did not particularly like me, I remember an excessive amount of oak and one-dimensionality, but, apparently, over time, either got used to the oak, or developed receptors and now it seems to me a very good mole, but it does not shine with a variety of derivatives, but has its own individual character, sufficient complexity and depth, which puts him, IMHO, in a row of the best basic products.

Nice, but relatively unspectacular whisky. Delicious drink, no more, no less.

Body;firm,smooth slightly viscous.

On the nose, the smoky peat gives way to lemon and a sweet smell of nuts. A little menthol touch, herbaceous fragrances, autumn breeze. Light fruits, not too ripe. Quinces, apricots. On the palate, returns of peat and honey. Vanilla. Peach pit. The whole remains velvety and slightly woody. The finish is very sweet and quite long. It gives on dried fruits. Spicy cereals in retro-olfaction. Barley, hops, wheat. It is fragile and gently balanced. It's velvet, as they often say. That said, it's not really to my taste, lacks character. https://ilikesky2020.blogspot.com/2020/06/oban-14-yo.html

The inspiring aroma crashed against the darkness and fatality of the plinth taste and a very terrible alcoholic aftertaste! 22 20 19 18

Bottled 2025 (L5022CM007). A solid bottling, but one that has deteriorated somewhat over the years and seems less well-rounded than I remembered. The oxidation does the bottle good, but unfortunately doesn't "save" it much. For what it offers, the Oban 14 has become too expensive for me. I would recommend getting slightly older bottles at auctions, where they are hardly more expensive. I really like that they have retained the classic design of the label.

Not good, not bad - a malt without qualities.

S 7 Bottle from the early 90s. A bit disappointed by the nose, but it improves thereafter. Similar quality to modern 14 but a bit richer, I suspect the initial vats has higher ratio of older stock.

Nose: very fresh, light, pleasant! Vanilla, honey, beeswax, toffee, fresh green apples, pears, citrus, lemon peel, grapefruit, ginger, a hint of spice. Taste: Vanilla, toffee, hints of chocolate, pepper, ginger, citrus, honey, orchard fruit, ripe apples, pears, peaches, spices, wood tartness, herbs. Finish: Short and pleasant, vanilla, citrus, salty, very tart, nuts, wood, pepper, unfortunately at the very end it slightly "burns the pipe"

It has its place in the classic malt range. Perhaps not optimal in terms of price-performance ratio, but a fair bottle.

Nose: obstler, smoke ?, slightly musty, cherries, potatoes,, spices, oak, alcohol Taste: strong onset, pepper, spices, oak, quite flat, less light fruit Finish: spicy, medium long, vanilla at the end,

Nice, funky whisky for me, I think this isn't for everyone... Nose is nice for me but other segments lacks behind

Nice mix of fruit and sweetness with light spice. With the addition of water, the fruit notes appear clearly. A good single malt for all days - 15.02.2014

I like this understatement. surely not a great but a substantial and very honest bottle that I really enjoy now and again. improves with every sip. 86/100

This whisky really grew on me. In the first months I wasn't that enthousiastic about its profile and I would give it around 80 points. Almost two years later I emptied the bottle, and it oxidated really well. It's indeed a maritime dram with some flavours you won't encounter that often in other malts.

Absolutely delicious. Salty and blue cheese touches, powerful and explosive. One of my favorite whiskys

As a digestif after a meal, absolut wonderful. Wild herbs and vanilla with a subtle fragrance of a sea brize are merged together. Really pleasant and easy to drink. A forgotten "classic" bottling.

The smells on the nose correspond to the taste. Let this whisky stand for about 15 minutes with a few drops of water, then the fruit notes will come up.

Balance sheet (21) Cute, the origin of shrimp is not clear but funny (84)

A doctored whisky, needs to please everybody and thus doesn't please me. Heavy chill filtered and coloured. Although there is worse out there, I wouldn't buy it again.

underwhelming, too restrained, not a bad whisky but certainly won’t be a favorite

Take some fruits on your ferry trip! Concerning price/performance ratio: 8/10

19-05-2017

Very simple, without great character but easy to drink. Better memories at the distillery, but where we could combine oban and ginger confit. A good agreement.

Sorry, but the new edition of this whisky is much more bitter compared to the earlier ones. Since you can write in comments a bit blasphemous of bitter orange, the drop is still not better! The nose is still promising, but then comes green tea and just bitterness. So my rating had to reset something. Well, the drop is still not too expensive.

I'm definitely positively surprised. Fruity, herbal, slightly spicy, creamy, sweet, no negative alcoholic notes.

Strong bourbon influence with waxy and milk chocolate nuances.

In the smell she promises more than she is able to offer, but still I am satisfied.

Tasted on 09-15-2020 at Oban Distillery.

I taste no peat at all in this nice whisky. Great overall taste. I can see why this is considered one of the Classic Malts.

Very malty, grassy and lots of green apple. Vanilla with sugar frosting and some salt on top. very unique and lovely whisky.

I like this whisky very much. Pleasant taste of a wonderful scent and reasonable price. When I'm sorry that the bottle's level is pretty good at the bottom.

Not my favourite style of whisky

The whisky smells very classic and makes you want more. The taste shows many notes: malt, fruits (red, but not too dark), caramel, some oak and the association of salt. The whole thing looks very maritime. What reads good here and also tastes good and has complexity is already boring with the second sip. The finish is medium in length and reflects the taste again. I tried the whisky in a bar. I find this always difficult for a neutral rating. I also suspect that whisky is not drunk as often in this bar and the bottle has been open for a long time. In that sense, my impressions will not necessarily be representative. On occasion I will get a sample of the whisky and taste it again and evaluate. But what I have found in him does not really push my curiosity to infinite heights.

This has a lot of coastal notes and and I really liked the light smoky finish on it. Definitely worth a shot.

(Lot # LLJA0001914. Has been in a bottle with very low fill level for the last several years) NOSE: Mild malt and bourbon notes. A flowery scent which is a bit dark (as opposed to light and summery), perhaps some heather and hints of honey. Some woody notes as well. Improved with water, which brought out orchard fruits and some barley. (85p) TASTE: The arrival is a little tame, wood and some honey, but little malt or fruit. On the mid palate i also find more wood than malt or fruitiness. Water made it a little sweeter. (80p) FINISH: The finish is also a but wood dominated and a bit astringent and peppery although it also has some honey sweetness. Improved a bit with water. (83p) TOTAL SCORE 83 points.

Nice standard for good money, even if he does not quite get my favorites in the price segment.

Unfortunately, Oban seems to be losing ground in these expressions as well; a proper comparison is needed, but I doubt his earlier versions were better. I hope his unique character doesn't degenerate and lose its classic appeal. Price-performance ratio: Good, Medium-good, Medium, Medium-low (from the beginning to the end of the price scale) Would I repurchase it?: It's still on my shelf at the right price.

2020-10-02

Unsurprisingly, the 14 Oban standard, which draws lazy oily streaks along the glass rim, welcomes the nose with the typical Highlands & Islands style. Fruit from green banana to pineapple leads into vanilla, some freshly plucked herbs, lilac and some cereals. A slight hint of smoke and a pinch of salt hovers over it like the cooled ash of a campfire in a sea breeze on the beach. The taste bites much more alcoholic than expected at the beginning, but then quickly changes to the aromas of grain, fruit and vanilla sweetness that are known from the nose, which in turn are accompanied by the slight cold and salty campfire note. The slightly scratchy, warm finish remains somewhat short but balanced, the smoke remains less strongly than the grain-fruity impressions. Not a blast, but thanks to its quite large distribution in the catering trade, I have always accepted this standard, with which you cannot go wrong. Always tastes very good!

Fantastic entry level malt!

A good bourbon cask rendition. The nose is inviting, promises a lot but delivery is not to expectations. N Tropical fruits, salty brine,engine oil, vanilla, caramels, honey. P Vanilla, Acacia honey, malty oak, barley sugar. A bit of a marmite and honey. A good balance between sweet and dry finish , nice oily mouthfeel despite NCF. A bit of chocolate and a hint of marine saltiness. F Bitter, salty, peppers. Not as sweet and fruity as Little bay however comes more layers of complexity and spices. I like both editions. Look forward to comparing with the special releases and will update with my findings.

A nice bottle, where a fine balance between fresh and salt is achieved. Very accessible whisky.

Oban 14 Years Old, 43%, SMSW. 60ml sample at home in April 2025. It was pretty much exactly 6 years ago that I had my last dram of this, in the distillery on a beautifully sunny day in a pre-covid pandemic world. It feels very recent. I fell in love with the town, but not necessarily with the whisky, but both were very fleeting superficial flings. A pleasant dark golden shade of e150a. Aroma is browned apple core, spent hubbabubba chewing gum … or pink Chewits sweets, light toffee notes. Quite a muted aroma, but fine. Body is moderately oily. Taste is assertively minerally with a gentle background biscuity oak, softly bitter on the finish. An impression of what Lagavulin 16 might taste like if all the smoke were sucked out of it – which might not be that bonkers an observation as they’re the same ABV, probably from very similar types of casks matured in the same warehouses in the central belt. Not much to this really. I like the body a lot but it’s a little flat and bitter on the palate – absolutely fine, but certainly not standing out. With the lack of craft credentials, I think this is slightly below average in the current Scotch landscape. But it’s still a decent whisky. The current RRP is extremely inflated – this is worth 40% of the asking price, given what else is out there. I would have to question who is buying this at the current price. 3.325/80 ------ Oban ‘Little Bay of Caves’, ‘14’, 43%, ‘West Highland Malt Scotch Whisky’. 50ml miniature from a Classic Malts of Scotland set obtained at auction, consumed July 2025. My research on the other minis suggests that this set was produced around 1994-95. Golden orange. Aroma is spirity to start but that dies down, damp bread, hints of cider vinegar and coriander seed and golden ale. Body is lightly oily. Taste is surprisingly potent (though that might be because this is my first whisky of the evening) with a strong, rich vanilla sweetness. That’s all I get until the tannic oak starts coming in and then the cutting drying metallic/salty finish. Lots of American oak, impressively potent, but finishes quite rough and out of balance. They definitely used to use much more active casks. 3.45/82

Conclusion and pictures on: https://tomtrinkt.de

The contrast between fruity-sweet aroma and spicy-tart finish give the Oban the profile of a characterful Highland malts. Unfortunately, but a bit flat, outstanding impressions you look in vain. 81/100

A simple Highlander, which opens up quite uncomplicated, but also offers nothing special. In particular, the departure leaves desires open.

Nose: Faint smell of bourbon, straw-colored, some flowers, light honey Taste: Sweet bourbon aroma. Little complex. In the background a slight bitterness turns into a bitter taste. Rating: 82 | 100 Medium long finish with sweet aromas. Basically a basic whisky that you can safely take on a barbecue. Surprisingly, the alcohol is not too much perceptible so you can drink this whisky

Peculiair saltiness in nose and taste. Very pleasant sour taste development. Ugly finish. Nevertheless, its recommended.

Poached pears, citrus, apricot, some sea air and caramel. In the mouth fairly thin with mainly pear, some citrus, salt and pepper. The finish is rather short and flat. Sometimes I could appreciate him, other times I had a hard time emptying the glass. For $50 you can get (much) better than this. Better with some water.

bottled 2000 - L15N04446913 - 86 points bottled 2024 - 81 points bottled 2000 - L15N04446913: In the aroma I have a pleasant smell of the sea, saltiness and seaweed. The rock stands above the sea, the breeze blows towards you from the sea and you can smell the sea and the damp rocks. At the same time, the smell of an almost ripe apple starts to come to me from the other side. It gradually fades and other aromas gradually show. Sweet-salty peat and light smoke come out. The smell of salty sweat on the body of a woman running on the beach (just sniff and lick a little). In the taste I have a combination of sherry, old wood, a little saltiness on the fruit-soaked wood, ripe fruit with a salty touch is highlighted for me and gradually the feeling of light smoke and wooden varnished wood. With further sips I have an increasingly waxy feeling. In the finish, then the slightly spicy sweetness of fruit, ripe apples, light wood and sherry tones fade and salty stone. Subsequently, a waxy feeling in the mouth. 86/100 bottled 2024: Sweetly ripe fruit, apples, pears, very ripe fruit, dense fruit honey, light whiff of salt. The smell of old wooden furniture. Pleasant dense fruit aroma, perhaps a little harder to read. At first, malt, graininess, then fruitiness and sweetness start to come in, apples, pears, it starts to give what it showed in the aroma. In the finish, slightly spicy fruit, gradually further into honey and malt and warming wood. Overall, a pleasantly drinkable whisky, but in my memories I have Oban listed as saltier (this was not reflected in the current rating). 81/100 I tasted the older version to compare it to the current one (2024). First the current one, then the older version. The older one seems richer, saltier and with a bit of smoke. The new one is quite fruity, lots of ripe fruit, fruit honey, pleasantly drinkable. The older one is denser, not as lively, but I would say sherry, fruit-soaked wood and light smoke and gradually a waxy feeling began to appear. The new one drinks well, but the older one seemed more fun and richer to me.

Oban 14 is a whisky produced in the Scottish Highlands in the town of the same name. Only 8,000 inhabitants live there. However, it is a very important port on the west coast of Scotland, which by the way is famous for its great seafood.

I bought this malt because I grew fond of Oban Little Bay. Since the 14er has always done better in the reviews than the Little Bay, I assumed that I would get at least one whisky of equal quality. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case: it's a nice whisky that differs roughly from Little Bay, but overall it can't hold a candle to it.

It's a secret to me why this whisky is so well accepted and priced. Perhaps being sited on the western coast? Don't rely on that. There is just this permane t and dominant awkward catch in the taste every time I was forcing myself to drink it. Probably from the local soil, nothing to do with peatiness... I will never buy Oban again.

An absolutely honest malt. No hype, no NAS and not diluted to the minimum, so he comes with a good 43% therefore. Granted, the 46% would certainly do even better this malt. In addition, there is a price that is absolutely top for a 14 year old whisky. Maybe that's why I gave him a bit more points than usual. Sure, this is not a malt of extremes, neither sherry bomb nor a bourbon vanilla bomb is offered here, but what you get is a malt that offers an ingenious value for money and the fruity Speysidians and the lovely Lowlander You can tell it somehow the maritime character from the nose to the Abgabng, which is oily and medium-long. A Malt, which is already something more than an All Day Dram, but I think, this will only be recognized if it is taken off the market or the price is raised significantly.

It wasn't as peated as I thought it would be, even when first opened. It definitely opens peatier though, but it fades quickly with oxidation. There was also some maritime character to it (think pebbly seashore) that was a bit unexpected. Oloroso sherry definitely shines through on this one on the nose and palate. Also of note, the mouth-feel is oilier than the 43% would lead you to believe it could be. It isn't very dense, but it's heavier than expected.

During another tasting I gave it 81 points; apparently I'm a bit ambiguous about this one.

marine notes, fruit, fresh apples, oak, sweet/salt, spicy, almonds in end

Sorry but by far my not favourite distillery...

It's a solid expression. Even though I'm not usually a fan of lightly peated whiskies, I enjoyed it. With subtle peat, there's a balanced touch of fruitiness, maltiness, oakiness, and spiciness, all in the right amount. If you're in the mood for a comfortable, low-ABV, lightly peated whisky, I would recommend this. It's really well made.

Oban 14 hmmm... this is one of those whisky-drinking staples that every whisky drinker should try. For me, it lacks a bit of complexity in the aroma and flavor, as if it's been filtered. The finish is slightly peppery. It has a little bit of everything—that's for sure. That's how I perceive it. I used to like it better. I have a weakness for salted caramel. Now it's okay... but :) Oban 14 is like that one guy from the neighborhood—he has friends, but no friends. :> I definitely recommend at least trying it.

Indeed nothing bad, could qualify as a daily sipper! Downside is, I would forget about it the next morning. It showed some interesting notes on the nose and I wasn't fond of all of them. The palate was the highlight for me with its fruitiness, although it is a little basic. If you're truly looking for a good maritime character, get yourself the Talisker 10. Coincidentally one of the other Classic Malts of Scotland, but so much better! (pricewise too)

I liked it, not the best in the Classic Malts collection, but this is a fair whisky. Only a little too expensive I think.

The olive golden whisky has a very fruity nose with orange, lemon and pear; all in combination with sea salt and peaty smokiness. On the tongue I taste fruit - something of dried figs, honey-sweet spices, dried apricots, followed by a smoky, malty dryness. He has a long and smooth, sweet aftertaste with hints of oak, dryness and a little salt.

The nose is very pleasant, with a small side Talisker for the iodized side. A trace of smoke. Quite simple and goes everywhere but still very nice. At 46 degrees, unfiltered and without dye, it would be the foot. There, it's just the average. Distillery to dig for me ...

A classic!

For its sales price, the mission is filled hands down; give a maximum of pleasure.

"Wow.." In a bad way, actually. Everything semms like it is behind a wall. Good flavours, but hidden far away. I really expected this to perform better. It was one of the first whiskies I ordered in a bar, and I just knew I had to own one. Well, now I do, and I must say that it's not as good now as it was when i was a newbie.

I stand by my earlier given points; 69.

A bit of a classic for me, and it seems to taste different every time I try it. Nonetheless enjoyable every time, but not one to save for very special occasions.

Thick slow primary, thick very slow secondary legs. Tiny droplets. Chill-filtered, coloured. Harmonious. Water pushes forward the fruity notes on the nose and in the finish.

I remembered better. That is quite irrelevant and despite 43 vol. It looks watery. Can be seen as an easy drinking dram, but that's also possible for half the price.

Fine whisky that is almost perfectly balanced. The taste scores just that little bit higher than the rest, but in this case it is certainly not to the detriment of this whisky. Perfect digestive!

Oban 14 82 It's okay, but the balance feels good Moderately small hexagon feel Even in Oban 12, there is a slightly sour part, is it a malt characteristic? Dosu is a bit disappointing N Orange, a little Celty, savory malt, sour Taste The alcohol content is very light, sour and sweet Finish There is a part that is a little dull

sample. Not quite sure about this one. Very much a signature bottling, but i wouldn't want to drink a whole bottle.

It is not bad but could be much better if not owned by Diageo. 43% and chill filtration does not make it any favour. Nevertheless, at 40 euro it was a good choice (not 60 as asked today).

A bit unbalanced, but it lends perfectly in combination of a great mushroom risotto or poultry.

A great whisky, took me a while to get to know it and understand its appeal though Starts of like a day at the carnival in a harbour town and keeps that going throughout A mixture of very sweet and interesting seaweedy salty

Average daily sip.

This whisky don't stand out at all, sorry. The standard flavors is there, oak, vanilla etc..

smells beautiful, weaker finish

A pleasant, drinkable dram. A good entry into Highland, with time I came to appreciate the savory items more and more. The fruity notes of sherry are interesting, delicately looming in the background of the bourbon base

Color – golden, orange. The aroma is grape, fruit and citrus. Freshness, appleiness. The taste is smoky, light, great for food! In a short sip, the whisky disappears without overpowering the food.

Nice and rounded

Old fashion style. I love it! Very complex and tasty dry whisky. Perfectly balanced. Add a little water to reach all flavors.

Good whisky. Slightly smoky and therefore very suitable for beginners.

It is difficult to pin down on a characteristic, but the aromas from the nose are well reflected in the taste. Always oscillates between fruit, caramel / milk chocolate and this herbal honey note. In short: not too complex, not too simple, stands out from 08/15 whiskys. Style whisky rather than highland whisky. One of my favourites.

Big fan of Oban, and the 14 year old is the core profile identifier for the distillery. A very fine and solid highland malt that could benefit from a more artisan presentation.

It features notes of green apple, honey, lemon citrus, and a subtle peat, and is highly polished. However, since the sweetness is not strong, it does not intuitively feel delicious, regardless of its quality.

Got a bottle as a surprise gift, and it turned out a good surprise. I probably wouldn't have picked this up given the current price, but now that it's here, I will enjoy the bottle until the end. My biggest criticism of Oban 14 is that it isn't more of itself. What's there is very nice, but I'd like a stronger version of it. I'd be quite interested in a CS version of this. EDIT - 3 months and 2/3s of the bottle later: This grows on me. Extra point for taste 84 -> 85

Aroma makes the job! Overall 81,5/100.

Color: light gold. Body: dense oily. Nose: Incredibly clean, fresh, with mineral undertones, complex, with interesting nuances not found in every whisky. As soon as I opened the bottle, aromas of honeycombs, wax, caramel, lacquered furniture were heard from it. In the glass, these aromas are no longer so pronounced. Citrus notes are strong here, moreover, not sweet, sour or bitter, but something in between, probably a pomelo with a piece of orange peel is most suitable for this description. Subtle nuances of pineapple and papaya, some flowers (lilies?), lavender soap, the smell of rarefied air after rain (ozone), golden apples also add freshness to the aromatics. Sea salt and a slight tobacco smoke make this whisky related to island malts. Well, very small hints of dried fruits (dried apricots and prunes), hazelnuts, ginger, baked chestnut, baked potatoes in coals are also present. Taste: not as bright as aromatics, calm, but also memorable, dry, bitter, slightly smoky. It starts with sweet notes of vanilla, pineapple, pomelo, then salted caramel, notes of white wine (albariño) enter. Followed by long spicy, bitter notes of citrus zest, ginger, anise, mint, burnt wood, coffee. And in the end, everything is again replaced by sweet fruits (dried apricots, yellow apples and pears). Finish: medium length, spicy-sweet, very dry. Ground black pepper, mint, ginger, dried apricots, peach. This whisky, it seems to me, is intended primarily for lovers and enthusiasts who love to sit with a glass for a while, look for different undertones and nuances in taste and aroma. Moreover, it seems that a person needs a certain experience in the world of whisky in order to sufficiently "understand" this sample, it is not as simple as it may seem. I have also noticed that it "behaves" differently under different circumstances of use and changes slightly depending on the mood of the drinker. It is also interesting that different tasters often find in this whisky the most exotic flavors that would not even come to mind to another person. In general, the whisky turned out at Oban is not quite standard and this is interesting.

I just can't seem to warm to the Oban 14. It has everything a classic West Highland whisky promises: maritime notes, subtle sweetness, a touch of smoke, and a hint of fruit. And yet, it remains on my shelf. I never actively reach for it – except perhaps when friends are curious at a tasting and I want to give it another chance.

Pours a medium ligth pale yellow. Scent is milder in intensity, wide in it's offering. heavy on the malts, milder on the wood. Taste is powerfull, salty, drying woodyness. sharp edge to it, that I usually also have in peated whisky (though I get no peat in this one). Interesting, and so far to me, quite unique in it's aroma's. higher intensity, but remains quite friendly nevertheless. Malty finish. Very decent .

Had a great tasting with Oban 14 as a starter.

Thick and complex, demanding as typical Highlander

Just realised I never dropped a note about this (actually) “classic malt”, which has been one of my favourites when I first entered the whisky world. A few years and bottles later, my perspective has changed significantly, yet I still find myself going back from time to time to the warm, friendly and definitely easy drinking Oban 14. It’s a ”mainstream malt” for sure, with elegant malty notes and a very rounded palate, in a subtle balance between cereal flavours, fruity sweetness and oaky bitterness clearly brought by the bourbon hogsheads, everything surrounded by a light maritime breeze. The result is quite complex, but very easily enjoyable; a milestone for beginners, but a comfortable go-back-to whisky even for more expert palates. Just pity for the artificial colouring and chill filtering, which make me deduct a couple of points to this otherwise solid malt.

You can find our review at http://www.whiskybros.com/#!Oban-14yo/c21kp/571634da0cf2331db0f94051

Color: Light Copper Nose: Immediately recognizable and different than just about any other malt. I try to be very on-guard about this sort of thing, because it's so amenable to marketers, but this really does smell like a "West Highland" malt. Ben Nevis is one of the few others that seems to consistently wade into this arena. Now, I've said a lot without really giving many descriptions, so let's get to that. Orange is present right away; not generic citrus, as it sometimes is, and definitely not lemon or lime: orange. Then there's a coastal note that packs a punch of both salt and vinegar. Serge sometimes talks about Oban having mustardy notes, and I can see what he means. Finally, it has a vague scent of metal and metal polish. I find myself confused when people describe this as generic or run-of-the-mill malt. Taste: Whisky is funny this way. Orange and chocolate is a typical flavor combination in confections. There's no reason they should go together in whisky (unless there's some chemical explanation about which I'm unaware). However, that's exactly what we have here. Orange is salient and immediate on the nose; chocolate is the same on the palate. Interestingly, it skews more towards creamy, milk chocolate for me rather than the more-typical dark. I've gotten a bit ahead of myself, though--I try to start with the arrival's technical features. The mouthfeel is medium, could be a bit thicker and oilier and work better, but it's good enough for this weighty malt. There's no real heat at 43%, which would have been a bad sign. Otherwise, the palate is nice. Beyond chocolate, you get definite maltiness and some good bitter notes. It's not the biggest tasting thing ever, though. I don't find water helps at any point. Finish: The malt and bitterness from the mid-palate continues on and predominates. Comments: A bit of a splitter. The nose is approaching or even reaches 90 points for me, while the palate hovers around the low-to-mid 80s. As usual, it's a task deciding how to split that difference. I think, when factoring in how good of a daily dram this is and how much character abounds, that I skew a bit higher than others may. I'm glad Oban is around, and there's an odd combination of charm and frustration from the fact that this is one of the very few expressions you can taste of the spirit.

Nothing special and memorable. Life is too short for mediocre malts.

Oban 14yo is a classic whisky from West Highlands in which fresh and citrus fruits are combined with honey and salt - present mainly in the nose at usual. The aroma is simple but pleasant, taste in this particular whisky is warming, sweet and salty, finish rather short with new wood aromas. This is a humble yet vivid representative of coastal single malts. Worth a try!

It's a great journey from nose, to taste, to finish with atypical notes for a whisky. It's has a rum-like quality. It is good, but it could have been excellent. Crank up the abv a few percent and forego the chill filtering (and when you're at it, go easy on the artificial coloring). Sadly, it has become more expensive and besides some Old Pulteneys there aren't too many readily available alternatives.

Unsurproved whisky, well made and consensual, syrupy with a bonus of a small smoked side.

14-year-old oban Tasted 2014-07-20 @ WhiskyInteam Spaden spicy and dry peaty, yummy - very good 82

Great maritime malt, especially for the price. Very little smoke to speak of.

The aroma is dry sherry, slightly malty. With light notes of spices and nuts. Very strong But short retronasal sensation of oak, sherry and aged spirits. Restrained, as if having tamed the storm and the very essence of oak. A pleasant good whisky. Without frills and excesses. For those who appreciate taste and simplicity. When you drink this whisky, you want to take the next sip very quickly because the taste evaporates very quickly and you want to refresh the sensations and keep them in your mouth longer. Definitely a tasty and worthy example.

Got two of this one

I know these notes seem rather harsh. But it isn't a bad whisky by any stretch of the imagination. It's just that that detergent note takes away from the overall experience. 79/100

I do not like most of the Diageo malts, this one too. It is drinkable yes, but I cannot recommend it.

Nose: Raisin, plum, alcohol, caramel Taste: Sea Salt, raisin, sherry, citrus, pepper, smoke

N: sweet honey, fruity, orange T: sharp spicy oak, soft saltyness, lemons F: short, dry oak, sea salt, a touch of oil

Amazing balance, one of my go to bottles.

Good whisky to enjoy.

Great nose but the actual taste doesnt keep up. Very average dram.

All around a balanced sipper. Smells of the carpet hallways on a cruise ship. Strong honey notes. Barely any smoke. Fruity aftertaste.

Good intro into smokey whisky, not too much, but enough to be enjoyed. Very versatile whisky also, depending on what you had before etc., taste really changes and adopts. One of my favorites!

I expected more

A good whisky to drink with friends. Some elements have a very good balance (the "oak-honey-medicinal" at the nose, the "oaky-orange" and the old wine cellar at the taste); maybe too much caramel gives it an "artificial" flavour. In the end it's very light and pleasant; the short finish was just right and was the best part for me.

Rarely a sea breeze tasted in the whisky!

perfect

Buy again? Yes Recommend? Yes Drink if offered? Yes

до этого пробовал обан литл каск.что до 14ого то в нос ударило какой то свежестью. также вроде хереса тут немного, но я его сразу учуял. если честно херес не моё. но тем не менее глоток пошёл хорошо чуть обжигающе, но уверенно. и сладость есть и фруктовость. да в принципе очень хорошо, можно было бы и пол бутыля впулить было бы с кем. так что хороший вискарь, не любимчик, но и не аутсайдер. лучше кноканду это точно.

Nose is the best part, very interesting. I will probably not buy it again but I will try more Oban for sure.

Nice whisky. Gentle introduction to coast

Hard to figure out what's in the bottle while it's covered in text. However, recommended after a bowl of goulash, or from the whisky cart, but not in Hungary itself. Veto your mother, otherwise Wilders will come and blow you. That's why 69 points.

I tasted a sample of it. I didn't think it was that special of a whisky. Better than most whiskies, but I expected more from Oban

waxberry, smoky

Rich, honey salt oak

nose : fruity mouth: honey , smoked , fruity easy to drink stay in mouth