The classic dram that started it all... Having the goodly fortune of knowing a scotch enthusiast, Oban 14 was the first glass poured on a chilly DC evening beside the fire. I couldn’t have asked for a more proper introduction to all the things Scotch has to offer. Oban 14 offers a safe tour of nearly the full spectrum of scotch flavors: fruit, a generous punch of sweet honey, a malted and woody body, butter cream, and kick of spice with a snap of peaty smoke, it’s complexity opened so many exciting doors for the scotch noob I once was. I can still smell the tangerine on it’s nose. As I make my way to more complex scotch offerings, I still smile when I see this bottle nestled behind my Dalmore 12, Laphroaig Quarter Cask, and the few others that make up my nice little scotch cabinet. Their presence is owed to the magical experience I had with this western highland beaut. At $60 a fifth in DC, it’s worth every buck for greenhorns and appreciators alike. I don’t fault it for the slight addition of coloring, but have to knock it slightly for the chill-filtering—it restricts the true shine a bit on this 43% abv gem. 4/5