Retasted, 19 May 2019. Bottle recently opened, now about 3/4 full. Nose: A light cereal aroma with green apple notes, hints of English mustard, a little leathery honey and the merest hint of smoke (but I wouldn't characterize this as a "smoky" whisky at all). There's a vanilla presence but it's not a dense flowery vanilla - something more cereal, like the smell of freshly baked vanilla sponge cake. With water the nose becomes more fragrant. Palate: A sweet malty arrival that develops some pleasant ginger and Dijon mustard spice notes together with a very light maritime hint in the later palate. Dry sherry, walnut oil, and the same savory-vanilla presence as on the nose. Water brings out a little extra sweetness, and is recommended. Finish: Medium/long. Sweet cereal that turns to a dry briny/malty aftertaste that lingers more than you might at first suspect. A clean, well-balanced profile that does not disappoint. Oban 14 is one of those perfectly acceptable whiskies that you enjoy but for some reason always reach past on the shelf in order to grab something else. It is a slow malt to open so give it a good rest in the glass before tasting and I'd recommend a few drops of water. This opens everything, but particularly improves the finish. One thing I did notice from this retaste is the apple note, which is almost like cider vinegar on both the nose and palate. Not that it's a fault at all - it adds to the spicy part of the profile and gives the whisky a light and sprightly character. It also teams well with the unique mustardy-maritime note, which is reminiscent of salt marshes or estuarine low-tides. The last time I tasted this was at the distillery where it made an OK but hardly memorable impression, however it's possible that as the starter of a flight of whiskies it simply stood out as the least impressive dram. I'm increasing my previous rating slightly. "Good" : 83/100 (3.5 stars) -------------------------------------------------------------------- Original review, September 20, 2017 Scotland, September 2017. Whisky #8, distillery tasting. Nose: Citrus peel, malted milk, a slight peaty hint. Palate: Fruit, honey, a little salt and some spicy notes. Finish: Medium. Sweet initially but fading out dry with a hint of salt. Straightforward light bodied sweet whisky. It's nice but overpriced for what it is. Water spoils it - it's too delicate to take dilution. Best enjoyed neat. There's nothing bad about it but neither was there much of outstanding character. Of the 4 expressions I tasted at the distillery this was the least interesting, but it is undeniably well made and generally enjoyable. "Above Average" : 82/100 (3.25 stars)