by 
Oban 14 Year Old Single Malt. Highlands, Scotland. ABV: 43.00%. Tasted at The Tilbury Hotel, Woolloomooloo. $0, courtesy of my friend Shelly.
Apologies for being off air for a few days, but I’ve been busy drinking whisky! A few days to catch up on, let’s get into it with the Oban 14 year old…
Colour: Bright caramel.
Nose: Dried fruits, mainly sultanas and apricots. Slightly floral.
Palate: Cool oily mouthfeel to start, then a gentle heat builds. Toasted oak flavours, buttery.
Finish: Soft peppery tingle on the front of the tongue. Medium length.
Comments: Have you ever had elocution lessons from a slightly tipsy Scottish lass? Hilarious. My dear friend Shelly bought me an Oban when I was back visiting Sydney, and then proceded to correct my apparent mispronunciation of Oban after we’d had a couple of drinks.
Whisky a Day: Hey Shell, is this an Oban?
Shelly: It’s not O-bahn, it’s Oh-bin!
Whisky a Day: Oban?
Shelly: No no nooooo…that’s not right, it’s Oo-bun!
Whisky a Day: So how would you pronounce it, Oooooo-bun, Oh-bin, Oh-bahn? Or simply “gargle-gargle-swallow”?
Shelly: Oban!
Whisky a Day: Surely you can’t be serious?
Shelly: I am serious, and stop calling me Shelly!
I look forward to many more elocution lessons next time I’m back in Sydney Shelly! Though I think I’ll leave the final word to legendary Scottish actor Brian Cox…
Oban is a beautiful town with a some great cosy little old pubs. I used to live not too far away in a small village called Inveraray, on the banks of Loch Fyne. Would love to head back one day, hire a van, and do a big road trip around Scotland and its Islands. I here they make some ok whisky round those parts..
They do indeed make some ok whisky around those parts Dave! Keen to check it out myself some day, jealous that you’ve been able to experience that part of the world.