Oban 18 Year

This review is for a bottle from 2017 It seems harsh to score a decent whisky zero. But once you become an enthusiast of something, most of the time, you are just not impressed. Why should that get an 87? I also enjoy film, and even though I am careful about what films I choose to see, more than half of them are wasting my time. This Oban 18 is trying to be a blend. It is a complex whisky, but it doesn’t pick a direction. And it doesn’t win the best directionless smooth sipper award. Off the top of my head, from what I have open right now, Johnnie Walker Gold, which is far from spectacular, is something I would rather drink, for a flavor profile that has been buffed into a perfect sphere. This Oban 18 has a little of everything, like Johnnie Gold, but it has some distracting spikes. The caramel flavors are richer, but they are fighting the citrus and orchard fruits. The saltiness is a courageous tip toe, but steps on the floral notes. What does this whisky want to be? I don’t know. It’s a whisky that does not let the spirit shine through, but the cask influence has also not reached peak maturity; it’s a whisky that’s aiming for the rich and sweet profile; but also the fresh and fruity; it’s a whisky that has fallen off the highlands and drowned trying to swim to the islands. I also don’t like how when this was first released several years ago, it was a premium limited release that was around $140; then, they decided to release it every year and make the price cheaper – I found my bottle for $100. Now, I see some 2019 bottlings on shelves for close to $140 again. Oban, make up your mind. Score: 0 (forgettable) How much does a bottle cost: $95-140 How much do I think a bottle is worth: $55

Nice clean smoky flavor.