Oban 12 Year Old (Special Release 2021) & Singleton of Glendullan 19 Year Old Special Release 2021

Oban 12 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

Region: Highlands

ABV: 56.2%

Price: £105.53

Distilled in 2008 and matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and refill casks, then bottled in 2021 at cask strength. No official outturn was stated. 

Nose

Initially, the nose offers limoncello, seaweed, burnt wood, coconut creams, and vanilla essence. There is a little pepper spice showing the alcohol, but it is not overpowering. Returning to it after some air, we find cold butter, burnt toast, corn on the cob, and whipped cream. The peat is very light as you’d expect from Oban, but it’s a pleasant enough nose.

Palate

The palate has whipped cream, icing sugar, orange marmalade, Walker’s Shortbread, and simple syrup. The finish is medium in length but is quickly overtaken by light pepper spice. the mouthfeel is thinner than we were expecting given the ABV. We’re not real getting any peat here, and overall the palate just feels a little simple.

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose is largely unchanged, though a little more musty now, with the peat further diminished. As it sits in the glass, it becomes creamier, and the burnt toast note that was present before dilution grows more pronounced.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate keeps most of the undiluted flavours but gains a little more citrus, lemon yoghurt and a touch of custard. The sweetness lingers longer before the finish is overtaken by spice. Speaking of spice it’s more aggressive now on the finish, but as a positive the mouthfeel has improved a notch.

Conclusion

A dram that lacks complexity and, unfortunately, both benefits and suffers from the addition of water. While a whisky doesn’t need to be complex to be enjoyable, we’re not finding enough simple pleasure here to take it beyond a 6. Come on Oban, you can do better.

Score: 6/10

Value

Interesting that this was released four years ago and still remains expensive in today’s market.

Singleton of Glendullan 19 Year Old Special Release 2021

Region: Speyside

ABV: 54.6%

Price: £134.00

Distilled in 2001 and matured in refill American oak casks, then finished in Cognac casks. Bottled in 2021 at cask strength as part of Diageo’s Special Releases. Again, no official outturn was stated.

Nose

The nose opens with pineapple juice, icing sugar and fresh mangoes, then Play-Doh, Pinot Gris and brown sauce. There’s a touch of pepper spice here showing the alcohol strength, but it is well balanced for the ABV. Leaving it in the glass for a bit allows us to tease out some oats and whipped cream. Pleasant with the cask finish adding a little to the nose.

Palate

The palate opens with pineapple juice up front, followed by toffee sauce, chocolate orange, roasted coffee, and caramel sauce. Pepper spice appears on the medium finish, though there is enough sweetness to keep it in balance. The mouthfeel is good, although returning to it we find the dram a touch mouth-drying.

Nose (with water)

A few drops of water have brought out rice crackers, corn crisps, fresh bread, deep fried plantain, and dusty wardrobes. Unfortunately, we are finding these notes overshadow many of the sweeter aromas we were getting before dilution. Toffee is the most prominent of the sweeter aromas.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate shows less spice on the finish, though the roasted coffee note now adds a touch of bitterness. Tobacco and a hint of musk emerge. The finish remains medium in length, and the mouthfeel has held up well.

Conclusion

For us it is better neat. It does not show the most interesting array of aromas and flavours, but there is enough here to enjoy. Water opens the nose and palate, yet the diluted profile leans into savoury and slightly bitter notes that we don’t particularly enjoy.

Score: 6.5/10

Value

Better value by age than most Diageo Special Releases, yet we still would not call it value for money.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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