2021 Oban Natural Cask Strength 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Highlands, Scotland (750ml)

TASTING NOTES:

APPEARANCE:Bright, pale gold.BODY:Medium.NOSE:Mellow, with elusive yet unmistakably maritime top notes of crispy edible seaweed, crystal salt and coarse black pepper on a wooden trencher, perhaps accompanied by very lightly smoked fillets of white fish. After a while a spoonful of sweet chili sauce is added to the platter while with a drop of water, light olive oil becomes the top note.PALATE: Very smooth, soft and mouth-filling in texture, the taste is fruity and lightly citrus-sweet, balanced by a pinch of salt mid-palate and an insistent yet never overpowering spiciness from the fresh-charred casks. The effect is lush and vigorous, with a great balance between crunchy wood spice and fresh, fruity distillery character. Staying sweet throughout, it is delicious straight, while a dash of water lightly rounds the flavors, bringing up the fruity notes.FINISH: Quite long, finishing spicy with a shake of pepper. Water brings forward a lovely smooth warmth in the aftertaste, as if to herald a final gleam of light.