Oban 14 Year Old
Oban occupies an interesting position in the whisky world. Sitting in the Highlands but with coastal influence from the town's position on the west coast, it's often described as a bridge between the gentler Highland malts and the more assertive island styles. The 14 year old is their flagship expression, part of Diageo's Classic Malts series, and it's been a fixture in the whisky world for decades. It's one I've been keen to explore properly and see whether it justifies its position as a classic dram...
Bottle
The Oban bottle is tall and slender with a slight taper, giving it an elegant profile. The glass itself is plain without any embossing, keeping things simple and unfussy, an old-fashioned, yet timeless look. The label is traditional, almost vintage in style, with warm orange tones. It's not the short, sturdy style I typically prefer, and the straightforward design means it doesn't quite have the premium feel I'd expect at this price point. It's pleasant enough, but unremarkable. I recently wrote a series on the history of Scottish whisky and this bottle definitely feels like it comes from the storied past.
Colour
Here's where my enthusiasm starts to wane. At 43% ABV, chill-filtered, and with added colouring, this doesn't tick the boxes so many have come to value in modern whisky. The deep amber colour is attractive enough, but knowing it's artificially enhanced takes some of the joy away. For a whisky that typically retails around £70, I'd expect better. It's disappointing when you know what distilleries are capable of when they commit to natural colour and non-chill-filtration.
Nose - A gentle, coastal nose that's immediately inviting. There's a lovely maritime quality here: sea spray and salt air, but it's subtle rather than aggressive. Behind that sits honey sweetness, some light citrus notes (orange peel particularly), and a touch of smoke that's more like distant bonfire than full-on peat. There's also vanilla and a hint of malt. It's delicate and well-balanced, promising something refined rather than bold.
Palate - The palate is smooth and surprisingly light for a 14 year old. That coastal character comes through with a gentle salinity, followed by honeyed sweetness and soft fruits. There's a touch of spice, some oak influence showing through, and that subtle smokiness weaving in and out. It's all very pleasant and easy-drinking, but it lacks the depth and richness I'd hope for at this price point. The flavours are there, but they feel somewhat restrained.
Finish - Medium long in length with lingering smoke and salt. Some gentle spice and oak remain, along with a touch of that honeyed sweetness. It fades quite gracefully, leaving you with a pleasant coastal memory, but nothing that really makes you sit up and take notice.
Overall
Oban 14 is a perfectly pleasant whisky. The coastal character is genuine and well-expressed, the balance between sweet and savoury is nicely judged, and there's an elegance to it that I can appreciate. It's the sort of dram that would be lovely on a quiet evening, undemanding and easy to enjoy.
But here's the thing: at around £70, I struggle to justify it. The 43% ABV, chill-filtration, and added colouring all feel like compromises that hold this whisky back from being something special. There's an authenticity missing here. When distilleries strip out the natural oils through chill-filtration and mask the real colour with caramel, they're hiding what makes their whisky unique. It feels at odds with the heritage and tradition that Oban clearly wants to project.
There are whiskies at this price point (and lower) that offer more complexity, more intensity, and better overall value whilst respecting the spirit enough to bottle it properly. I'm glad I tried it, and I can see why it has its fans. The coastal character is lovely, and there's definitely quality in the liquid. But will I be rushing to buy another bottle? Probably not. It's a nice whisky that could have been a great one if Diageo had shown it a bit more respect.
If you’re curious to try this one for yourself, it’s usually available from Master of Malt or The Whisky Exchange or better yet, find it at your local whisky shop!