Nose - apple, plum, raisin, honey, strawberry, hay, Ovaltine, cocoa, peach, pear, cashew, grape, honeysuckle, sweet oak, subtle peat, mild ethanol burn.
Taste - strawberry, pear, fig, green apple, honey, cashew, almond, ginger, cereal grain, black pepper, mint, dry oak, cocoa, clove, allspice, hay, creme brûlée crust, mild to moderate alcohol bite, finishing medium short with cocoa, tannic oak, and green apple flavors.
Ten points to Oban for hitting me with another aroma from my childhood: Ovaltine! The 14 Year smacked me in the face with champagne gummy bears. It’s been close to a year since I’ve tried the 14 Year, but I think I like this NAS offering slightly more. The sherry influence is present but not overpowering, and integrates well with the classic Oban distillery character.
I won’t be able to rate it extremely high, because the youth leaves the palate a bit malty and sour and the finish a bit short, but this is one I would absolutely drink with no disappointment. Unfortunately, a bottle is priced at $70 near me, which is too high and pits it unfavorably against some other delightful offerings in that range.
Thanks to
@ContemplativeFox for providing the sample. It was worth it just for that Ovaltine note which brought back some good memories.