Oban 11 Year Old 2023 Special Release
ABV: 55.4% | Origin: Western Highlands, Scotland | Category: Limited Edition Single Malt Scotch

This 11-year-old special release is a limited edition single malt whisky, celebrated for its balanced combination of maritime and peaty flavors. It is matured in a mix of American oak and European oak casks, imparting a complexity of rich fruitiness, subtle smokiness, and a hint of saltiness. On the palate, it offers notes of honey, dried fruits, and a touch of sea breeze, with a delicate peaty undercurrent. The finish is long, warming, and slightly sweet, with lingering spices and oak. This release is perfect for collectors and connoisseurs, offering a unique take on its distinctive style.

Tasting Profile

• Color: Deep amber gold with rich coppery reflections.
• Nose: Maritime freshness mingled with fruity sweetness. Notes of orange zest, salted caramel, and baked apples with hints of sea spray, smoke, and coastal heather. Subtle spice and vanilla develop with time.
• Palate: Full-bodied and richly textured. Initially sweet with ripe orchard fruits, candied citrus peel, and honey, followed by warming spices, maritime saltiness, and gentle wisps of smoke. Oak influence brings vanilla, toffee, and a touch of dark chocolate.
• Finish: Long and warming with lingering notes of sweet spice, sea salt, and subtle smoke. The interplay between sweetness and coastal character persists beautifully.

Production Details

• Maturation: Primarily aged in refill American oak casks, allowing the distillery's coastal character to shine through.
• Cask Strength: Bottled at natural cask strength (55.4%) without chill filtration to preserve full flavor profile.
• Special Release: Part of Diageo's prestigious 2023 Special Releases collection, "Elusive Expressions."
• Limited Edition: Produced in strictly limited quantities as an annual special release.

Perfect For

• Collectors of rare and limited-edition single malts.
• Oban enthusiasts seeking a more intense expression of the distillery's signature style.
• Whisky connoisseurs who appreciate coastal Highland malts with depth and complexity.
• Special occasions that call for an exceptional and distinctive dram.

Expert Notes

• "The Oban 11 Year Old Special Release beautifully captures the distillery's coastal soul while offering an intensified experience through its higher strength and carefully selected casks."

Serving Suggestions

• Neat: Best enjoyed in a tulip-shaped glass to concentrate the complex aromas.
• With Water: A few drops of water can open up additional layers of flavor and soften the higher ABV.
• Food Pairing: Pairs excellently with seafood, particularly oysters, smoked salmon, or grilled shellfish.

Interesting Facts

• Oban is one of Scotland's oldest and smallest distilleries, established in 1794.
• The distillery sits at the meeting point of the Highlands and Islands, giving its whisky a unique character that bridges these two regions.
• The 11-year-old Special Release is a departure from Oban's standard 14-year-old expression, offering a different perspective on the distillery's house style.

Distillery

• Oban Distillery – Located in the heart of the seaside town of Oban on Scotland's west coast.
• Production Style: Small-scale production with just two stills, allowing for careful attention to every batch.
• Notable Characteristic: The distillery's unique location between the Highlands and the Islands influences its character, creating a distinctive whisky that balances mainland fruit notes with coastal influence.