Oban 12 Years Old 2021 Limited Single Malt Whiskey (Diageo Special Releases 2021)

Oban 12 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Whiskey (Diageo Special Releases 2021)

Oban 12 Years Old 2021 Limited Edition Single Malt Whiskey

Alcohol concentration: 56.2%%

Origin:Scotland

Capacity:700ml

Product introduction

While it's popular in the U.S., we don't see a lot of Auburn outside of the regular 14-year-old and distiller's versions. It occasionally appears in special editions, but otherwise very few new expressions appear, especially since it almost never appears in stand-alone bottlings - Diageo guard their stocks very carefully.

I originally included this in a later tasting lineup, but upon re-reading the barrels used, I realized that "fresh charred American oak" does not mean new barrels, but rejuvenated Wood Barrels - Old wooden barrels that have had their inner layers stripped away and recharred to give them new life. They didn't have the charm of the original oak, and I moved it back a bit in hopes of getting something that showed off Auburn's character more than new barrels.

Nose: Butterscotch, brown leaves, orange peel and syrup notes start. Butter toffee and stewed apples are followed by incense. Butteriness is in the center, while balanced by citrus pith and zest, and black pepper around the edges.

Palate: A direct hit of sweet orange and the lemon curd toffee is soggy. Hints of salt and pepper sit alongside sharp apples and buttery fruit bread. Notes of spice – a tingle of black pepper and cinnamon. Fruity jelly – apple and pear – with a hint of lime, a touch of barrel caramel and a touch of salted caramel.

Finish: Lingering notes of butter toffee and salted caramel, fading away to reveal candied lemon.